Opposition Infighting and Fragmentation Bedevils Syria
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013
In Syria, the Rebels Have Begun to Fight Among Themselves
By Rania Abouzeid / Tal AbyadMarch 26, 20134 Comments
The day started like a regular Sunday for Mohammad al-Daher, better known as Abu Azzam, the commander of the rebel Farouq Brigades in the vast swathe of eastern Syria called the Jazira, a region that stretches from the Turkish border to the Iraqi frontier and encompasses the three provinces of Raqqa, Hasaka, and Deir Ezzor. He had a series of meetings in the morning in a number of locations in the bustling town of Tal Abyad on Syria’s border with Turkey as well as in the partially destroyed former police station that is the Farouq’s headquarters. And he was going to visit his mother.
By late-afternoon, however, the burly 34-year-old Raqqa native would be lying in a hospital bed – wounded by members of the ultraconservative Islamist group Jabhat al-Nusra (which the U.S considers a terrorist organization with links to Al-Qaeda). Abu Azzam’s targeting has blown open a sharp rift and long-brewing conflict between the more-secular nationwide Farouq brigades and the Jabhat. The two groups are among the most effective, best organized and most well-known of the many military outfits aligned against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and the fight between them is just beginning……(read the rest – brilliant reporting)
Syrian opposition seat deepens Assad’s diplomatic isolation – Arab News
A four-man delegation of the Syrian opposition took the nation’s seat at the summit. The delegation included interim Prime Minister Ghassan Hitto and Alkhatib, who, despite stepping down as president of the Syrian National Council, led the Syrian delegation in Qatar.
The SNC presented a number of demands to change the destiny of the Syrian nation.
King Abdullah lashed out at the Assad regime for unleashing deadly weapons on his own people in full view on the international community….
Shaikh Hamad lamented that the Syrian regime entered into armed confrontation with its people and rejected all calls for serious political reform. The emir of Qatar reaffirmed his country’s commitment to provide humanitarian help to the people of Syria and urged all countries to do the same. “I dream of seeing Syria up on its feet and back to its former glory,” he said….
Al-Khatib said he had asked US Secretary of State John Kerry for US forces to help defend northern parts of Syria with Patriot surface-to-air missiles.“I have asked Mr. Kerry to extend the umbrella of the Patriot missiles to cover the north of Syria and he has promised to study the subject,” Al-Khatib said.
“We are still awaiting a decision from NATO to protect the lives of innocent peopl and return Syrian immigrants to their homeland to lead a normal life,” he said.
Obama’s Syria policy in shambles as Assad opposition squabbles
By Hannah Allam, McClatchy, March 26
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s Syria policy was unraveling Monday after weekend developments left the Syrian Opposition Coalition and its military command in turmoil, with the status of its leader uncertain and its newly selected prime minister rejected by the group’s military wing.
Shaam News Network via AP video In this image taken from video, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, a building burns due to government forces shelling in Damascus countryside, Syria
State Department officials said they still planned to work with the coalition, to which the United States has pledged $60 million, but analysts said the developments were one more sign that the Obama administration and its European allies had no workable Syria policy.
The opposition coalition, already in its second incarnation, has proved to be as beset by factionalism as its predecessor, the Syrian National Council, exacerbated this time by the meddling of foreign donors, analysts said. But, the analysts added, the United States has no other entity to back in a war that pits the regime of President Bashar Assad against a jihadist-dominated rebel movement.
“This is it. The U.S. can’t reboot it a third time. If they can’t make this work, they’ve got nothing,” said Joshua Landis,…
Iraq is on its way to dissolution, and the United States is doing nothing to stop it. And if you ask people in Iraq, it may even be abetting it.
By Henri J. Barkey, March 26, 2013
….But at the heart of Maliki’s policies is his unease with the developments in Syria. Convinced that Syrian President Bashar Assad, who belongs to the Shiite-related Alawite sect, is on his way out, Maliki fears a tidal wave of Sunni fighters will cross the border to rekindle the civil war that has threatened to erupt in Iraq since the U.S. occupation. He thinks the Kurds have established their region and that their independence is only a matter of time. Hence, his primary concern is to solidify his control over the Shiite Muslim regions and Baghdad.
Maliki’s increasingly dictatorial tendencies are ensuring that the country will split along sectarian and ethnic lines. This is not what the United States wants, nor is it conducive to stability in the region, as Iraq would succumb to the interference of its often-rapacious neighbors.
Washington has abetted the process by playing into Maliki’s hands….
Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With Aid From C.I.A.
By C. J. CHIVERS and ERIC SCHMITT
click to view full graphic With help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey have sharply increased their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters in recent months, expanding a secret airlift of arms and equipment for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, according to air traffic data, interviews with officials in several countries and the accounts of rebel commanders.
The airlift, which began on a small scale in early 2012 and continued intermittently through last fall, expanded into a steady and much heavier flow late last year, the data shows. It has grown to include more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Saudi and Qatari military-style cargo planes landing at Esenboga Airport near Ankara, and, to a lesser degree, at other Turkish and Jordanian airports.
As it evolved, the airlift correlated with shifts in the war within Syria, as rebels drove Syria’s army from territory by the middle of last year. And even as the Obama administration has publicly refused to give more than “nonlethal” aid to the rebels, the involvement of the C.I.A. in the arms shipments — albeit mostly in a consultative role, American officials say — has shown that the United States is more willing to help its Arab allies support the lethal side of the civil war.
From offices at secret locations, American intelligence officers have helped the Arab governments shop for weapons, including a large procurement from Croatia, and have vetted rebel commanders and groups to determine who should receive the weapons as they arrive, according to American officials speaking on the condition of anonymity. The C.I.A. declined to comment on the shipments or its role in them.
The shipments also highlight the competition for Syria’s future between Sunni Muslim states and Iran, the Shiite theocracy that remains Mr. Assad’s main ally. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed Iraq on Sunday to do more to halt Iranian arms shipments through its airspace; he did so even as the most recent military cargo flight from Qatar for the rebels landed at Esenboga early Sunday night……
“A conservative estimate of the payload of these flights would be 3,500 tons of military equipment,” said Hugh Griffiths, of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, who monitors illicit arms transfers.
“The intensity and frequency of these flights,” he added, are “suggestive of a well-planned and coordinated clandestine military logistics operation.”
Although rebel commanders and the data indicate that Qatar and Saudi Arabia had been shipping military materials via Turkey to the opposition since early and late 2012, respectively, a major hurdle was removed late last fall after the Turkish government agreed to allow the pace of air shipments to accelerate, officials said.
Simultaneously, arms and equipment were being purchased by Saudi Arabia in Croatia and flown to Jordan on Jordanian cargo planes for rebels working in southern Syria and for retransfer to Turkey for rebels groups operating from there, several officials said.
These multiple logistics streams throughout the winter formed what one former American official who was briefed on the program called “a cataract of weaponry.”……
The American government became involved, the former American official said, in part because there was a sense that other states would arm the rebels anyhow. The C.I.A. role in facilitating the shipments, he said, gave the United States a degree of influence over the process, including trying to steer weapons away from Islamist groups and persuading donors to withhold portable antiaircraft missiles that might be used in future terrorist attacks on civilian aircraft.
American officials have confirmed that senior White House officials were regularly briefed on the shipments. “These countries were going to do it one way or another,” the former official said. “They weren’t asking for a ‘Mother, may I?’ from us. But if we could help them in certain ways, they’d appreciate that.”
Through the fall, the Qatari Air Force cargo fleet became even more busy, running flights almost every other day in October. But the rebels were clamoring for even more weapons, continuing to assert that they lacked the firepower to fight a military armed with tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launchers and aircraft.
Many were also complaining, saying they were hearing from arms donors that the Obama administration was limiting their supplies and blocking the distribution of the antiaircraft and anti-armor weapons they most sought. These complaints continue.
“Arming or not arming, lethal or nonlethal — it all depends on what America says,” said Mohammed Abu Ahmed, who leads a band of anti-Assad fighters in Idlib Province.
The BreakoutSoon, other players joined the airlift: In November, three Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130s landed in Esenboga, in a hint at what would become a stepped-up Jordanian and Saudi role…..
Officials: U.S. Training Syrian Forces in Jordan
By AP / Bradley Klapper, March 25, 2013 – Time
(WASHINGTON) — The United States is training secular Syrian fighters in Jordan in a bid to bolster forces battling President Bashar Assad‘s regime and stem the influence of Islamist radicals among the country’s persistently splintered opposition, American and foreign officials said.
The training has been conducted for several months now in an unspecified location, concentrating largely on Sunnis and tribal Bedouins who formerly served as members of the Syrian army, officials told The Associated Press. The forces aren’t members of the leading rebel group, the Free Syrian Army, which Washington and others fear may be increasingly coming under the sway of extremist militia groups, including some linked to al-Qaeda, they said.
The operation is being run by U.S. intelligence and is ongoing, officials said, but those in Washington stressed that the U.S. is providing only nonlethal aid at this point. Others such as Britain and France are involved, they said, though it’s unclear whether any Western governments are providing materiel or other direct military support after two years of civil war that according to the United Nations already has killed more than 70,000 people.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the program.
Officially, the Obama administration has been vague on the subject of what type of military training it may be providing, while insisting that it is doing all it can — short of providing weapons to the rebels or engaging in its own military intervention — to hasten the demise of the Assad family’s four-decade dictatorship…..Despite months of U.S. and international support to build a cohesive political movement, however, Syria’s fractured opposition is still struggling to rally Syrians behind a common post-Assad vision. And the opposition coalition appears as much hampered by its political infighting as its military deficiencies against an Assad regime arsenal of tanks, fighter jets and scud missiles….
Al-Khatib’s resignation comes only days after the opposition chose Ghassan Hitto, a long-time Texas resident, to head its interim government after intense wrangling over posts and influence that U.S. officials say has strained the opposition’s unity and caused friction among its primary benefactors Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
It’s also unclear how al-Khatib’s departure will affect the U.S. goal of political negotiations with amenable members of the Assad regime to end the civil war, given the moderate preacher’s support for talks. Much of the Syrian opposition, including Hitto, rejects such talks.
“He’s been a courageous leader,” State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said of al-Khatib.
“But the bottom line is what we’re looking for is unity,” Ventrell said. “We continue to support the coalition’s vision for a tolerant, inclusive Syria. We want them to continue to work together to implement that vision.”
In blow to Assad, opposition takes Syria’s Arab summit seat
The Syrian opposition flag is seen in front of the seat of the Syrian delegation at the opening the Arab League summit in Doha March 26, 2013. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
By Sami Aboudi and Yara Bayoumy
DOHA | Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:12am EDT
(Reuters) – To applause from Arab heads of state, a foe of Bashar al-Assad took Syria’s vacant seat at an Arab summit on Tuesday, deepening the Syrian president’s diplomatic isolation and diverting attention from opposition rifts.
Speaking at an annual gathering of Arab heads of state in the Gulf state of Qatar, Moaz Alkhatib said he had asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for U.S. forces to help defend rebel-controlled northern parts of Syria with Patriot surface-to-air missiles. NATO swiftly rebuffed the idea.
The insurgents have few weapons to counter Assad’s helicopter gunships and warplanes.
“It was a historic meeting. You could feel the grandiose nature of the meeting,” said opposition spokesman Yaser Tabbara.
“It’s a first step towards acquiring full legal legitimacy.”
Alkhatib said the United States should play a bigger role in helping end the two-year-old conflict in Syria, blaming Assad’s government for what he called its refusal to solve the crisis.
“I have asked Mr Kerry to extend the umbrella of the Patriot missiles to cover the Syrian north and he promised to study the subject,” Alkhatib said, referring to NATO Patriot missile batteries sent to Turkey last year to protect Turkish airspace.
“We are still waiting for a decision from NATO to protect people’s lives, not to fight but to protect lives,” he said.
Responding to Alkhatib’s remarks, an official of the Western military alliance at its headquarters in Brussels said: “NATO has no intention to intervene militarily in Syria.
“NATO calls for an end to violence in Syria, which represents a serious threat to stability and security in the region. We fully support the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution,” the official said.
Michael Stephens, a researcher based in Qatar for Britain’s Royal United Services Institute, said acceding to Alkhatib’s request would effectively put NATO at war with Damascus…..
Syria insurgents refuse to recognize new rebel PM – Daily Star
Syria’s mainstream insurgent Free Syrian Army does not recognise Ghassan Hitto, a rebel prime minister chosen by dissidents after hours of heated debate last week, a rebel official told AFP on Sunday.
“We in the Free Syrian Army do not recognise Ghassan Hitto as prime minister because the (main opposition) National Coalition did not reach a consensus,” at the March 18 vote, said FSA political and media coordinator Louay Muqdad.
“I speak on behalf of the (rebel) Military Councils and the Chief of Staff when I say that we cannot recognise a prime minister who was forced on the National Coalition, rather than chosen by consensus,” Muqdad said.
“We call on Coalition members to make right what was wrong,” he added, without elaborating.
Hitto won an election in Istanbul after 35 out of 49 Coalition members voted for him following some 14 hours of discussion in a closed meeting bringing together prominent opponents based both inside and out of Syria.
But several key Coalition members, including official spokesman Walid al-Bunni, walked out of the meeting and boycotted the vote.
And later at least 12 top Coalition members announced they had suspended their membership in the opposition body in protest against an election result they viewed as illegitimate.
Some dissidents in Istanbul said the Muslim Brotherhood, a powerful opposition bloc that is part of the Coalition, had imposed Hitto as its candidate of choice in the election.
Washington Post’s David Ignatius: In Syria, America’s fractured hopes
2013-03-25
The moderate political and military command structure the U.S. has been trying to foster within the Syrian opposition appears to be fracturing, a victim of bitter Arab regional rivalries.
The regional tension splitting the Syrian rebel movement is between Qatar and Turkey, on one side, and Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Emirates on the other. The former group would like to see an Islamist government headed by the Muslim Brotherhood after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. The latter group opposes any expansion of Muslim Brotherhood influence into Syria, fearing that the movement could spread from there to endanger Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
Syrian regime, rebels trade accusations of chemical attack:?State-run Syrian news agency claims 25 killed in rebel chemical attack in northern Syria, but rebels denied the report and accused regime forces of firing chemical weapons.
The Obama administration, to the consternation of some of its Arab allies, has been somewhere in the middle, resisting the efforts of Qatar and Turkey to impose their proxies, but not doing so very effectively. The lack of U.S. influence is one more sign of the price that Washington has paid in coming to the Syria problem so late, and so feebly.
The battle for political influence has centered around the opposition’s appointment of Ghassan Hitto as interim prime minister on March 19, under political pressure from Qatar and Turkey.
Though Hitto is a U.S. citizen who until recently lived in Texas, some Arab critics argue that he is sympathetic to the Islamist line pushed by Doha and Ankara. Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria and an informal coordinator of U.S. policy, told a House panel last Thursday that Hitto is “more Texan than Muslim Brotherhood.” This comment seemed to imply U.S. support, but one key U.S. official is said to have told colleagues that Hitto’s appointment as interim prime minister caught the U.S. by surprise.
Hitto’s appointment was sharply rejected by the Syrian opposition leadership the U.S. has been cultivating. First came the resignation Sunday of Sheikh Moaz al-Khatib, the head of the opposition coalition and seemingly a U.S. favorite when he met in Munich early last month with Vice President Joe Biden. Then Gen. Salim Idriss, who claimed the title of commander of the Free Syrian Army last December, told colleagues that he and his commanders couldn’t support Hitto until a broader array of the opposition had agreed to back him.
These dissents against Hitto could, of course, be withdrawn when the Arab League meets in Doha Tuesday — in the sort of patched-together compromise that so often characterizes inter-Arab diplomacy. There’s talk, for example, that Hitto could be replaced as interim prime minister by Burhan Ghalioun, a Syrian opposition leader who has good relations with both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. But the underlying tensions will continue.
What’s happening here, in part, is that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are conducting a decades-old battle for influence, using their contacts in the Syrian opposition as proxies. The two wealthy Gulf nations use their media outlets — al-Arabiya for Saudi Arabia and al-Jazeera for Qatar — to promote their different agendas. It’s a ruinous rivalry, reminiscent of the way Arab regimes once sponsored feuding warlords in Lebanon.
The biggest surprise is how little the U.S. has been willing or able to influence the Syrian political maneuvers in recent months. U.S. frustration with the old Islamist-dominated opposition led to the creation last fall of a new umbrella organization, headed by Khatib. But it’s mostly been downhill since then.
Washington tried two weeks ago to head off appointment of a prime minister. The U.S. proposed that instead of asking the Arab League to recognize an interim government, led by a prime minister, the League should grant recognition to a small “executive authority” headed by Khatib. That approach was endorsed by Britain, France and Germany; but under Qatari and Turkish pressure, this moderate plan was swept aside.
Frederic Hof, who until recently was the U.S. special adviser for transition in Syria, said in a telephone interview from Europe Monday that internecine opposition politics were a sign that the U.S. should support a serious transitional government on the ground inside Syria and “get away from the pushing and shoving of an opposition movement.” Without such a substantial goal, he said, “the trivial will trump the important every time” in opposition debates.
Critics of President Obama’s low-key approach to Syria would argue that the opposition wrangling illustrates what happens when the U.S. leaves policy to headstrong allies, such as Turkey and Qatar. The White House could counter that opposition fracas shows what a mess Syria is—and why the U.S. is wise to keep its distance.
The dangerous aspect of the ascendency of Qatar and Turkey is that they are driving the Arab revolutions further toward Islamist governance. “Do you want to hand post-Bashar Syria to the Muslim Brotherhood?” asks one prominent Arab diplomat. Like many in the Arab world, he fears that the Brotherhood is now inexorably on the march toward regional hegemony.
Saudi Official Warns Against Fighting in Syria
By Associated PressMarch 25, 2013
(RIYADH, Saudi Arabia) — The Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman has warned Saudis fighting in Syria they will be arrested when they return home. Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki says “involvement in the Syrian crisis is against Saudi laws.” Al-Turki said Monday authorities will also crack down on those planning to travel to Syria to….
ISW Report Examines the Free Syrian Army
ISW’s latest report, The Free Syrian Army, analyzes how rebel commanders on the ground in Syria have begun to coordinate tactically in order to plan operations and combine resources. This cooperation has facilitated many important offensives and rebels have taken control of the majority of the northern and eastern portions of the country. However, rebels have been unable to capitalize on these successes, and fighting has largely stalemated along current battle fronts particularly in the key areas of Aleppo, Homs and Damascus.
In her report, ISW Senior Syria Analyst Elizabeth O’Bagy explores how rebels have attempted to overcome the fragmentation and disorganization that have plagued Syria’s armed opposition since peaceful protestors took up arms in December 2011. A lack of unity has made cooperation and coordination difficult on the battlefield and has limited the effectiveness of rebel operations.
On December 7, 2012, rebel leaders from across Syria announced the election of a new 30-member unified command structure called the Supreme Joint Military Command Council, known as the Supreme Military Command (SMC). The Supreme Military Command improves upon previous attempts at armed opposition unification through higher integration of disparate rebel groups and enhanced communication, which suggest that it could prove to be an enduring security institution. The SMC has the potential to serve as a check on radicalization and help to assert a moderate authority in Syria. If the SMC can create enough incentives for moderation it will likely be able to marginalize the most radical elements within its structure.
There remain a number of critical obstacles ahead for the SMC. They include the incorporation of existing command networks, which will have an impact on command and control and resource allocation; mitigating the strength of extremist groups; and managing disparate sources of financing. As the SMC develops its institutional capacity, its ability to assert greater authority will likely depend on its transactional legitimacy and its ability to distribute critical resources to rebel-held communities. Overcoming these obstacles will be difficult, especially as the nature of the conflict transforms and the sectarian polarization makes it more challenging to create a strong military institution and professional armed force.
How Islamist Rebels in Syria Are Ruling a Fallen Provincial Capital
By Rania Abouzeid / Raqqa City – Time (this is an important story by an excellent reporting from within the city)
Colonel Riad al-Asaad, founder of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA), lost a leg in an explosion in Syria overnight and is in Turkey for treatment, a Turkish official said on Monday. Asaad, who established the FSA in 2011 to fight for the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, was one of the first senior officers to defect from the Syrian military. The Turkish official, who asked not to be identified, said Asaad’s wounds were not life-threatening.Syrian opposition sources said Asaad had been hit by a car bomb in the city of al-Mayadin, south of Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria. These accounts could not immediately be confirmed.
Just How Blind Are We In Syria?
By Robert Baer, March 25, 2013, Time
American intelligence has become too dependent on data analytics and super computers, which are as good as useless in Aleppo
Syrian opposition leader Alkhatib resigns
The head of Syria’s main opposition group resigned on Sunday, in a blow to a diminishing moderate wing of the two-year uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
Moaz Alkhatib, a former imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus who had offered Assad a negotiated exit, was picked to head the Western and Gulf-backed National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in November after leaving Syria following persecution and several stays in jail.
Al-Khatib’s resignation came after the coalition berated him for offering Assad a deal and after the group went ahead, despite his objections, with steps to form a provisional government that would have further diminished his authority.
Last week, the coalition chose Islamist leaning technocrat Ghassan Hitto as a provisional prime minister to form a government to fill a power vacuum in Syria arising from the two-year-old revolt that has killed more than 70,000 people.
Alkhatib, who had argued insufficient groundwork had been done to start forming a government, was weakened considerably, along with a moderate wing of the revolution as Jihadist salafists play a bigger role on the battlefield.
Hitto, whose cabinet is supposed to govern rebel-held areas currently ruled by hundreds of brigades and emerging warlords, was backed by the Muslim Brotherhood and coalition Secretary General Mustafa Sabbagh, who has strong links with Qatar.
“Basically Qatar and the Brotherhood forced Alkhatib out. In Alkhatib they had a figure who was gaining popularity inside Syria but he acted too independently for their taste,” said Fawaz Tello, an independent opposition campaigner.
“They brought in Hitto. The position of Alkhatib as leader became untenable.”
The appointment of Hitto prompted nine people to suspend their membership in the 62 member body, saying that promises to reform the coalition and respect consensus have been discarded.
I flew secret missions carrying cash and weapons into Syria for Assad, pilot reveals – Telegraph
A former Syrian army cargo pilot has revealed how he flew secret missions for the regime of Bashar al-Assad to carry cash and weapons into the country in the face of international sanctions.
The pilot, who asked to be identified only as Nazim, revealed that he or fellow pilots flew a cargo plane two or three times a month to collect bank notes from Russia – including large quantities of euros and dollars needed to prop up the regime.
He also recounted at least 20 missions to Tehran, two of which he flew himself, to collect Iranian arms and explosives for use by the regime in its effort to crush the rebellion that began two years ago.
…The pilot’s account appears to confirm Western intelligence officials’ belief that the Assad government is being propped up by Russia and supplied with weapons by Iran.
Syria chemical weapons: finger pointed at jihadists
Whatever happened last week in the town of Khan al-Assal, west of Aleppo, it achieved something extraordinary in the Syrian civil war: unity among Washington, Moscow and Damascus.
All welcomed the rapid decision by Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary-general, to investigate an alleged chemical attack that reportedly killed 26, including Syrian soldiers.
Unusually, the request for that investigation came from the Syrian regime, which claimed that Islamic jihadist rebels launched a chemical weapons attack. Since then, precious little evidence in any way has come from the area despite an awful lot of diplomatic noise around the world.
However a senior source close to the Syrian Army has given Channel 4 News the first clear account of what he claims is believed to have occurred on Tuesday. He is a trusted and hitherto reliable source who does not wish to be identified.
The Syrian military is said to believe that a home-made locally-manufactured rocket was fired, containing a form of chlorine known as CL17, easily available as a swimming pool cleaner. They claim that the warhead contained a quantity of the gas, dissolved in saline solution.
The Hostage – The saga of Richard Engel’s kidnapping by a pro-regime militia
A Glimpse Of Post-Assad Syria? Inside Aleppo’s New Islamic Justice Committees
A Glimpse Of Post-Assad Syria? Inside Aleppo’s New Islamic Justice Committees In Aleppo, a glimpse of the future?
By Florence Aubenas, LE MONDE/Worldcrunch
ALEPPO – For nearly three months, a rumor has been spreading through Aleppo: whoever faces hardship, however small, can go to a hearing of the “Committee for the promotion of good deeds and support of the oppressed.”
There, in this northern neighborhood of the country’s largest city, members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) are “enforcing justice” and “asserting the rights” of the ever growing number of people who are deeply distressed or simply disgruntled.
“It has become one of the town’s most popular areas, everyone wants to be a part of it,” says Abu Mustapha. It’s not quite a courthouse, but almost. It’s not quite social services either. It’s not even a political space – the only thing it is is religious. It’s an unprecedented glimpse, the people hope, of what an Assad-free Syria would look like…..
____Opinion____
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN, March 26, 2013, NYTimes
There are mounting reports that the U.S. is getting more deeply involved in supporting the Syrian rebels trying to topple President Bashar al-Assad. There is a strong argument for everyone doing more to end the Syrian civil war before the Syrian state totally collapses and before its sectarian venom and refugees further destabilize Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. But I hope that before President Obama gets more deeply involved in Syria, he gets satisfactory answers to the following questions:
The uprising against Assad began on March 15, 2011. His downfall has been predicted every month since. Why has he been able to hold on so long? Russian and Iranian military aid certainly help, but so does the support he still enjoys in key communities. Assad’s Alawite minority sect, which has been ruling since 1970 and constitutes 12 percent of Syria’s 22 million population, believes that either they rule or they die at the hands of the country’s Sunni Muslim majority (74 percent). The Syrian Christians, who are 10 percent, and some secular Sunni Muslims, particularly merchants, have also thrown in their lot with Assad, because they believe that either he rules or chaos does. None of them believe the rebels can or will build a stable, secular, multisectarian democracy in Assad’s wake. Why do we think they are wrong?
What are Qatar’s and Saudi Arabia’s goals? Are we to believe that these two archrival Wahhabi fundamentalist monarchies, the two main funders and arms suppliers of the Syrian uprising, are really both interested in creating a multisectarian, multiparty democracy in Syria, which they would not tolerate in their own countries?
Syria’s rebels fall into three groups: those democrats who want to be free to be citizens in a country where everyone has the same rights; those who want to be free to be more Islamic; and those who want to be free to be more sectarian — to see Syria’s Sunni majority oust the ruling Alawite minority. Last week, Moaz al-Khatib, the president of the main Syrian opposition coalition, resigned. Khatib had pushed for talks with the Syrian regime, which many rebels reject. Who can reassure the Syrian Alawites or Christians that they will have a place in a post-Assad Syria, if the rebels can’t get along with one another?….
I’m dubious that just arming “nice” rebels will produce the Syria we want; it could, though, drag us in in ways we might not want. …
This is the problem from hell. Sometimes the necessary and desirable are impossible, which is why I commend the president on his caution, up to now.
The Somaliazation of Syria
By Giorgio Cafiero, March 26, 2013
…If Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Muslim Brotherhood’s ambitions include seizing control of the entire country by force, the regime will not be their only stumbling block. For nearly six months, the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate branch – the Democratic Union Party (PYD) – have maintained control over most of Syrian Kurdistan. Recent months have shown that a Turkish-PKK proxy war is being waged inside northeastern Syria as Jabhat Al-Nusra has targeted the PKK in the Kurdish-majority areas.
“Even moderate Kurds who harshly criticize the PYD/PKK — some of whom have been tortured by them — have stated they would back the group as a lesser evil to the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Nusra and al-Qaeda,” writes Denise Natali, Minerva Fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies. “The PYD/PKK’s influence has been further encouraged by the Jihadist push into Aleppo, where the PKK/PYD power base is strongest. Although the approximately 10,000 Kurdish Alawites concentrated in the mountainous areas outside Aleppo are small in number, they are influential in the region and back the PYD/PKK, alongside fellow Syrian Alawites who are equally committed to a secular Syrian state.”
Considering that the Turkish military’s three-decade campaign to eradicate the PKK in southeastern Turkey has been a total failure, it does not appear likely that Jabhat Al-Nusra and other militant Islamist organizations will defeat the PKK in Syria anytime soon. Ankara’s strategy of arming the jihadists with the intention of unleashing them against the PKK has backfired, as Jabhat Al-Nusra’s behavior in northern Syria has only earned the PKK greater legitimacy within Kurdish and Arab circles alike….
the Ba’athist order will only be damaged—not destroyed—by further rebel gains. Unless a tactical shift in the balance of power occurs, it is unlikely that either the regime or the rebels will gain control of Syria’s entire territory, leaving open the possibility that the state will fragment along sectarian lines….
…It is urgent that this reckless regime be terminated and replaced with something dedicated to the rule of law, citizenship, civil society and minority protection. Syria’s mainstream opposition, already recognized by the United States and others as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, is debating whether to set up a functioning government on Syrian soil — one that could serve as a credible, attractive and reassuring alternative to the Assad regime; one that could appeal to minorities as a coherent, decent government instead of a disjointed opposition; one that could form the core of an eventual government of national unity. Its members hesitate because they are unsure of U.S. support. Indeed, this uncertainty may have caused or contributed to Sunday’s announcement by the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s president that he is stepping down.
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CIA aids huge arms smuggling to Syria – Wednesday, March 27, 2013
WASHINGTON: The CIA reportedly has a hand in clandestine supply of arms to Syrian rebels by Gulf States. At least 3,500 tons of have been delivered – some ending up on the black market, with the Turkish government an active player, a media report says
The CIA and General Petraeus would not comment when contacted by the newspaper. Turkish and Saudi Arabian officials declined to discuss the arms flights
Croatia and Jordan both denied any role in supplying weapons to the Syrian rebels, NYT says. Jordanian aviation officials reportedly went so far as to insist that no cargo flights occurred, and cut communication after presented evidence to the contrary
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-1-167647-CIA-aids-huge-arms-smuggling-to-Syria
The flow of arms continues with the help of US agents as Washington criticizes Iran and Russia for delivering weapons to the Syrian regime, the New York Times says. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed Iraq on Sunday to close its airspace to Iranian flights just as the latest arms delivery from Qatar for Syrian rebels was landing in Turkey, according to the daily’s report.
The newspaper cites air traffic data, US and foreign officials and rebel commanders in its investigation.
The airlift reportedly began in early 2012 with a Qatari Emir Air Force C-130 transport aircraft flight. Saudi Arabia and Jordan have joined in November, when it became a major operation. More than 160 military flights have landed in Turkey over the time. Esenboga Airport near Ankara was the prime destination, but others were also involved, the newspaper claims.
“A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE of the payload of these flights would be 3,500 TONS of military equipment,” Hugh Griffiths, of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told the newspaper. He added that it appears as a “WELL-PLANNED AND COORDINATED CLANDESTINE MILITARY LOGISTICS OPERATION.”
Instrumental to setting up the operation was David H. Petraeus, the CIA director until November, the official said. He had prodded various countries to work together on it.
The scale of the operation increased considerably in November, after the Turkish government agreed to it, the report says. The tipping point may also have been the presidential election in the United States.
Ankara reportedly has oversight over much of the program, down to affixing transponders to trucks ferrying the arms through Turkish territory and across the border. Some in Turkey say Ankara is de facto at war with Damascus because of its involvement in the conflict.
“The use of Turkish airspace at such a critical time, with the conflict in Syria across our borders, and by foreign planes from countries that are known to be central to the conflict, defines Turkey as a party in the conflict,” said Attilla Kart, a member of the Turkish Parliament from the CHP opposition party, who confirmed details about several Saudi shipments. “The government has the responsibility to respond to these claims.”
[…]
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-1-167647-CIA-aids-huge-arms-smuggling-to-Syria
March 27th, 2013, 12:26 am
ann said:
I respect Robert Bear ..
Just How Blind Are We [US] in Syria? By Robert Bear – March 25, 2013
The obvious cause of our blindness on Syria is that there’s very little reliable reporting coming out of the country. Qatar’s official TV al-Jazeera is on the front lines, but Qatar hasn’t even bothered to hide the fact that it’s taken sides in the Syrian civil war — it won’t even pretend it’s objective. Western news coverage is sporadic and uneven and can’t begin to adequately report on something like a gas attack
http://world.time.com/2013/03/25/just-how-blind-are-we-in-syria/
If there was still any doubt about how confusing the civil war is in Syria, it should be put to rest by the bafflement over last week’s alleged gas attack near Aleppo. It supposedly occurred on March 19, but that’s the only fact we know. No one can tell us whether the regime or the rebels were behind it. Or even if a real chemical weapon was involved.
The chemical-weapons experts I talked to doubted very much that any sort of weaponized nerve agent was exploded. The Syrian military is known to possess both VX and Sarin. But if indeed either one had been used, there would have been horrific casualties, thousands killed. On the other hand, those same experts wouldn’t exclude that some sort of riot-control gas had been used. But who could tell without any sort of real evidence coming out of Syria?
I asked a Syrian rebel what he made of the alleged attack. He said, “We don’t know how to use that stuff.” But he quickly added that there are a lot of rebel groups he couldn’t account for. He said that even Jabhat al-Nusra, a Salafi group that’s now on America’s terrorism list, has lost control of several groups who are nominally fighting in its name.
The obvious cause of our blindness on Syria is that there’s very little reliable reporting coming out of the country. Qatar’s official TV al-Jazeera is on the front lines, but Qatar hasn’t even bothered to hide the fact that it’s taken sides in the Syrian civil war — it won’t even pretend it’s objective. Western news coverage is sporadic and uneven and can’t begin to adequately report on something like a gas attack.
As for American intelligence, it has no one on the ground in Syria, and certainly no one near a hot battle zone like Aleppo. It’s too dangerous and not worth the candle. We’re left then with the not-very-attractive alternative of waiting for Syrian refugees to make their way either north to Turkey or south to Jordan. Their information can’t be anything other than spotty and inaccurate and hard to corroborate. Traumatized people will say anything to get back at their tormentors. As for the Free Syrian Army, it would say anything to persuade the West to intervene and get rid of President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Keep in mind that it wouldn’t take much to rule out the possibility that a nerve agent was used on March 19. One way to do it would be to analyze a sampling of automobile air filters driving in the vicinity at the time of the alleged attack. As crude as it sounds, it’s a method that would offer conclusive proof one way or another. But apparently even this is proving difficult.
We also have to consider the fact that for the past 12 years, American intelligence has taken its eye off the Syrian ball. The bulk of its people and resources have been bled off to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We may now have legions of operatives and analysts who can tell us more about these countries than we could ever want to know, but nothing about Syria.
According to a March 20 Washington Post story, a panel of White House advisers issued a secret report that U.S. spy agencies’ collection has been “distorted” by devoting too much money and people to military operations and drones: i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan. For me, the unwritten subscript is that in the hunt for mainstream al-Qaeda, we missed the witches’ brew in Syria. (I say this with the caveat that it wasn’t management’s fault; it’s inevitable when you fight two large and messy wars.)
Finally, one complaint I keep hearing about from intelligence officers is that Washington has let itself become too dependent on data analytics — supercomputers, monitoring social media, algorithms. It may work fine for targeting drones in war, but for an opaque country like Syria, where Internet usage is rare and the cell phones are now out, it’s as good as useless.
If Syria and the rest of the Middle East continue to deteriorate as they are, it’s time for a change in American intelligence. Rather than parking thousands of intelligence officers in front of flat panel screens watching drone feeds, it’s time we go back to old-fashioned intelligence collection: go recruit a source to bring us a dozen car air filters from Aleppo. It could mean the difference between war and peace.
[…]
http://world.time.com/2013/03/25/just-how-blind-are-we-in-syria/
March 27th, 2013, 12:41 am
ann said:
Syrian Rebels Caught on Tape Discussing Chemical Weapons Attack – March 20, 2013
The recording of the phone conversation purports to be between two FSA militants, one inside Syria and one outside of the country. Abu Hassan, the militant inside Syria, asks the person on the other end of the line to transmit a message to Sheikh Suleiman, a rebel-seized army base in Aleppo, asking for “two chemical bombs ….phosphoric” in order to “finish this whole thing.”
“The radius of the strike, or reach of the gases, has to be 1km.”
http://www.infowars.com/syrian-rebels-caught-on-tape-discussing-chemical-weapons-attack/
An alleged audio recording of a phone conversation between two members of the Free Syrian Army contains details of a plan to carry out a chemical weapons attack capable of impacting an area the size of one kilometer.
The conversation is featured at the end of the YouTube clip above. The video also contains footage of western-backed FSA rebels announcing their intention to carry out chemical weapons attacks while surrounded with bottles of nitric acid and other substances.
In addition, the clip features victims of yesterday’s chemical weapons incident in Aleppo, which the White House is reluctant to acknowledge even happened, blaming Syrian rebels for the attack.
The recording of the phone conversation purports to be between two FSA militants, one inside Syria and one outside of the country. Abu Hassan, the militant inside Syria, asks the person on the other end of the line to transmit a message to Sheikh Suleiman, a rebel-seized army base in Aleppo, asking for “two chemical bombs ….phosphoric” in order to “finish this whole thing.”
“I want them to be effective,” states Hassan, adding, “The radius of the strike, or reach of the gases, has to be 1km.”
The use of white phosphorus as a weapon is banned by the Third Convention on Conventional Weapons and as such is a war crime.
The clip also shows some form of nerve gas or poison being used against rabbits, mirroring a video released last year which showed rebels killing rabbits after dispersing an unidentified chemical weapon into a glass box.
Evidence clearly indicating that NATO-backed rebels have planned and carried out attacks using chemical weapons in Syria is important because it was this very scenario that the Obama administration said represented its “red line” on military intervention in Syria.
However, the fact that the biological attacks are seemingly being prepared and launched by FSA militants and not by Bashar Al-Assad’s troops exposes a fundamental hypocrisy that lies at the heart of western support for insurgents who have repeatedly carried out terrorist attacks against innocent civilians.
In the aftermath of yesterday’s chemical weapons rocket attack in Aleppo which killed up to 25 people, including 16 Syrian soldiers, the US government denied that chemical weapons had been used once it became clear that US-backed rebels were responsible for the incident. Israeli intelligence sources confirming that chemical weapons had indeed been deployed did nothing to shift the Obama administration’s position.
A Reuters photographer who witnessed the attack said victims, “were suffering breathing problems and that people had said they could smell chlorine after the attack,” adding that the victims mostly comprised of women and children.
Despite overwhelming indications that the chemical weapons attack was the work of the armed opposition, Britain and France paradoxically seized upon the incident to push for the EU to relax a ban on arming the rebels.
As we have exhaustively documented, western support for the FSA is intensifying despite the fact that the rebels are being led by Al-Qaeda terrorists who routinely commit beheadings, ransack Christian churches, conduct terrorists bombings against innocent people, all while burning US flags and chanting anti-American slogans while singing the praises of Osama Bin Laden.
[…]
http://www.infowars.com/syrian-rebels-caught-on-tape-discussing-chemical-weapons-attack/
March 27th, 2013, 12:50 am
ann said:
For FSA, Murder is Just Not Enough (Graphic Content)
http://www.syrianews.cc/for-fsa-murder-is-just-not-enough-graphic-content/
March 27th, 2013, 12:58 am
Visitor said:
It looks like everyone here on SC, including Dr. Landis, failed to take notice of an important observation.
Lakhdar Ibrahimi was absent from the Doha Summit.
March 27th, 2013, 1:00 am
ann said:
WHAT IS THE RED LINE FOR THE SO CALLED “REBELS” AND WHY DOES OUR GOVERNMENT NEVER MENTION ONE?!
March 27th, 2013, 1:09 am
ghufran said:
There are no good options for the US in Syria, the US hates Assad but distrusts the rebels, this in a nutshell explains why Obama has played passive aggressive on Syria.
The main political problem today is the weakness of the secular opposition, that is due to decades of oppression by the Assads and the fact that there are no donors to give money to those people compared to what the GCC is doing to help Islamists.
I find it very troubling that the West can pour billions on garbage projects but refuses to help true pro democracy forces in Syria, this failure led many to believe that the West is not interested in seeing a free and democratic Syria, western governments wanted,from day one, to weaken Syria and its army before they jump to install a puppet government, the army has not collapsed and the regime is still kicking but that gave Islamists the chance of a life time in Syria.
Most arabs are toys, GCC sheikhs are pimps and western governments are just toys masters, enjoy the show if you like watching videos of dead bodies, Syria is your victim,all of you.
March 27th, 2013, 1:21 am
Johannes de Silentio said:
7. GHUFFIE
“Syria is your victim, all of you”
Wrong, Ghuffie. Syrians are killing Syria. The rest of us are watching you idiots and thinking, “These fools don’t deserve a country.”
March 27th, 2013, 1:47 am
Hopeful said:
#7 Ghufran
When Davis Petraeus realized that the Iraq was descending into civil war in 2006, he reached out to the nationalist freedom fighters and leaders in Iraq. He: 1) promised that the US troops will leave Iraq; and 2) helped the freedom fighters defeat the Jihadis that have flocked to Iraq to help fight the infidel Americans.
Syria needs its “General Petraeus” – a strongman within the Syrian Army who will guarantee the regime’s departure and assist the FSA control and defeat the Jihadis.
March 27th, 2013, 1:51 am
Juergen said:
The speech of Moaz al Khatib at Doha with English subtitles:
March 27th, 2013, 1:52 am
ann said:
Syrian Chemical Weapons And The Propaganda Spin Campaign
News of a chemical attack in Syria has led to a propaganda spin campaign aimed at convincing the western world that there is a need for military intervention all under the guise of humanitarianism. The agenda for a complete take over of the middle east has been accelerating and we must counter this spin machine for the sake of the Syrian people
March 27th, 2013, 1:58 am
annie said:
http://antonyloewenstein.com/2013/03/26/daily-brutality-in-syrias-aleppo/
Remarkable footage by German filmmaker Marcel Mettelsiefen for Britain’s Channel 4
Thank you Juergen for the sub titled clip of Moaz al Khatib’s speech
March 27th, 2013, 2:06 am
ann said:
War in Syria: Just Say NO – Tuesday, 03/26/2013
http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/13153-war-in-syria-just-say-no
Last week was the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of the United States’ involvement in the war in Iraq. After 10 years, I still believe that the decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime was the correct decision, but that the aftermath of the initial invasion was horribly managed, with poor rules of engagement, no clear strategy, and no real definition of “victory.” Even after the successful surge in troop levels helped to prevent an immediate decline into civil war and achieve an unsteady peace, the inability of the Obama Administration to come to a Status of Forces agreement with the Iraqi government not only left the United States with no tangible benefits 10 years later, but also left Iraq in a precarious position that runs the risk of declining into civil war that could have horrible regional consequences.
Today, we are seeing a very similar and bipartisan drumbeat from the usual suspects like Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Carl Levin, plus the “humanitarian” left like the Washington Post’s editorial page eager to get the United States involved in the civil war currently going on in Syria. These calls seemed to hit a crescendo last week after rumors of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad using chemical weapons against his own people (weapons that probably came from Iraq a decade ago in the lead-up to the coalition’s invasion). Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has a precedent of getting involved in Middle Eastern civil wars after our involvement in the overthrow of the Moammar Qaddafi regime in Libya, which has only further destabilized the already volatile region (as the old saying goes, Qaddafi may have been an SOB, but he was our, disarmed, SOB). The Obama Administration, and members of Congress eager to get involved in another war, should think better and say not only no, but HELL NO.
After the failed experiment in Libya (in which the United States actually ended up on the same side of the conflict as al Qaida), the last thing the United States needs is to do the exact same thing in Syria. Yes, Assad is a horrible, brutal dictator, but there is no compelling national interest for the United States to get involved in helping to remove him from power. If anything, given the lessons of Libya and Iran in the 1970s, the United States, strategically speaking, should help keep Assad in power as a stabilizing force in Syria just to prevent that country from falling into even worse hands like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Libya or descending into further chaos that could spread to its neighbors and further destabilize the region.
That said, fortunately there are no serious calls for the United States to actually help Assad’s regime. There is no good reason for the United States to do so, just as there is no good reason for the United States to get involved in another war of questionable strategic importance and with no real tangible payout at the end. The United States must stop being the world’s policeman, getting involved everywhere that something inconvenient is happening or trying to depose every brutal dictator. While I believe that freedom is the natural state of humanity, it is impossible to impose that freedom on a nation-state by just deposing a brutal dictator (see: Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran). Sometimes, the end result is the same or even worse than the previous tyrannical regime (see: Egypt, Libya, and Iran; the jury is still out on Iraq and Afghanistan). That has seemed to be particularly difficult in the Middle East where radical Islam continues to spread, putting one nation after another under radical religious regimes that stifle freedom for its people, threaten regional stability, and become enemies of the United States.
There simply is nothing to gain from getting involved in yet another conflict that will probably end up just adding an even more emboldened enemy of the United States. The United States also has nothing to gain from getting involved in the intramural Sunni-Shiite power struggle being waged and led by the Saudi and Iranian regimes. With no strategic or economic interest in American involvement in Syria, the Obama administration and members of Congress should just say no to getting involved and stay as far out of that conflict as possible.
[…]
http://www.unitedliberty.org/articles/13153-war-in-syria-just-say-no
March 27th, 2013, 2:10 am
ann said:
CIA leads U.S deeper into Syria – Mar 27, 2013
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/editorials/x2082720247/Editorial-CIA-leads-U-S-deeper-into-Syria
It turns out that U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war is greater than the American public and even some members of Congress agitating for a greater U.S. role knew.
The New York Times reports that the CIA, working with Turkey and friendly Arab governments like Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, has greatly increased the flow of arms and other military aid through a fast-growing airlift, said to have been put in place by Gen. David Petraeus before he stepped down as CIA director.
It began a year ago January with two Qatari C-130 transports airlifting weapons to be distributed to pre-approved Syrian rebel groups. The Times said the operational tempo picked up greatly after the November elections.
The airlift has grown to include more than 160 flights by military cargo planes, picking up weapons from as far away as Croatia in an operation far beyond the organizational capabilities of the Syrian rebels, who remain disturbingly disorganized. On Sunday, the head of the Syrian National Coalition, Mouaz al-Khatib, abruptly resigned. Adding to the confusion, the Coalition refused to accept his resignation.
[…]
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/editorials/x2082720247/Editorial-CIA-leads-U-S-deeper-into-Syria
March 27th, 2013, 2:16 am
Juergen said:
Annie
I loved his speech, he has the ability to reach the people, even those hardboiled arab despotes in the meeting.
But I have my doubts that those wise words will fall on fertile grounds:
“Fear God in your people and fortify your country with justice and fairness, and plant love everywhere. Our people are looking for more dignity, justice and equality. I am sure that if we walk between people they will embrace us, putting their heads on our shoulders and crying from the heavy burden of suffering and pain. Our people are entrusted to us. We ask God to help you in carrying this trust and you are a people of good.” – Mouaz Al-Khatib
March 27th, 2013, 2:24 am
Juergen said:
I feel bad posting such horror, but I think we need to know from time to time with what kind of regime we are dealing with. Surely the war made the regime even more comply with the Al Wahash style.
beating, stoning and shooting of an innocent men by the SAA. 18+++
March 27th, 2013, 2:35 am
Juergen said:
Le Monde argues who was behind the Al Bouti murder, and asks some interesting questions, why was the Syrian Tv there only minutes after the murder, and a hour long hymn on his work was shown also just minutes after the crime took place.
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2013/03/26/qui-a-tue-al-bouti-qui-est-responsable-et-pourquoi-est-il-mort/
March 27th, 2013, 2:40 am
Mina said:
Indeed Juergen, Le Monde has yet not reported on Doha, but bring all the usual FB rumours on al-Buti’s murder. Don’t worry, France is just becoming number one in believing conspiration theories.
The editorial of the Brasilian foreign affairs minister calling for a diplomatic solution won’t get so much advertising.
http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2013/03/26/en-syrie-comme-ailleurs-la-protection-des-civils-passe-par-la-diplomatie_3148114_3232.html
March 27th, 2013, 3:00 am
ALI said:
################# Announcement ##############
I feel confused and ultra frustrated, I feel like I’m fighting the windmills and just running into walls. Seeing the French mandate flag instead of our flag did hurt me badly, and I’m lost in the limbo since.
We did our best to protect Syria from the evil that it’s ripping in apart into sectarian districts but people only saw us as devils. I did my best to highlight the truth on this forum but after 5 months of trying I found out that people are holding to their guns and nobody has switched sides or crossed bridges from either side. However, we all share continuous and increased hatred forgetting that once upon a time we were living with each other, we were greeting and smiling to each other.
I’m in support for my clan and sect and can’t see myself changing sides. We as Alawis are in fear of what’s coming and deep inside us we know it’s happening and we will die instead of just giving up everything.
I felt like my hatred towards my Sunni Syrian fellows has increased exponentially since I started commenting on this forum, and easily got sucked into alliances and fronts against each other. I started commenting here seeking some info and hoping to explain our point of view but I ended up with more hate and pain.
We love Syria and we love Assad and hope he will not go anywhere but believe it or not after seeing that flag I just realized that I love every Syrian including Sunnis and I miss every aspect of Sunnis in Syria.
For these reasons I decided to quit commenting on this forum, and I’ll do my best to not even read the hatred in every line of its comments section. Maybe if Assad gets killed (God forbid), Damascus gets bombard (God forbid), or we won the battle then only you might see me here to say something.
For now I wish all of you, except Zionists, good luck in your lives, I seek your forgiveness, and I forgive you for every hatred line you have or will attack me with. Love you all, love Syria, Love Palestine and may God protect our country.
Your crazy friend/enemy Ali
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March 27th, 2013, 3:03 am
Uzair8 said:
#10 & #17 Juergen
Thanks Juergen.
The subtitles are flashing and are hard to follow. I read a transcript several hours ago on Yalla Souriya:
Here
I’m reading the Le Monde piece right now (google translation).
March 27th, 2013, 3:17 am
Uzair8 said:
#19 Ali
Wow.
I’m sure SC will appreciate your honesty and your sentiments.
Your comment shows there is hope yet for Syria.
March 27th, 2013, 3:27 am
Uzair8 said:
Ali
You said you were confused. Did you try the Sheikh’s shrine?
March 27th, 2013, 3:28 am
Juergen said:
Ali
The hate towards the Alawis was everexistant and fueled more and more when atrocities were committed by the regime. I may want to repeat what an friend told me happend once Hafez died, at his work he found an alawite coworker totally insane crying, “They will all going to kill us, they will kill us now.” I know that many Alawites have this fear in themselves, and the regime is doing all its can to fulfill this spell. God forbid that the Alawites face what they fear most. Syria is a country for all, and that includes the Alawites. Thank you at least by this post that you shared your feelings.
March 27th, 2013, 3:31 am
Uzair8 said:
17. Juergen said:
I read a thread on Deenport on the Sh. Buti story. There was real disagreement there on who was responsible and on the rights and wrongs of the revolution.
One user shared a long list of ‘discrepancies’ surrounding the attack.
A user responded to the point about the tv tribute swiftly aired on tv:
I don’t know how to link to individual threads or comments.
If you’re interested, click on the thread title ‘Sh Ramadan al Buti’ under ‘Messages’. The thread will appear on the right hand side of the page.
http://www.deenport.com
March 27th, 2013, 3:45 am
Juergen said:
Uzair
Yes, I think given his age and his standing such orbituaries are common for the media to produce them in advance.
Last night I heard the father of a friend was killed by a carbomb, her father was working for the government. So far I can tell almost all the people I know in Syria have experienced such either in the immediate family or at least in their vicinity.
March 27th, 2013, 4:50 am
Jasmine said:
Ali @19
The Sun always rise after the darkest moment of night.
Syria is growing up,and once we realise that our love and devotion to our country should come before our loyalty to our sect or religion,all our problems will end.
We are all suffering,our family back home are hurt in many different ways and most of them are displaced,my cousin is missing for a year now and we have lost any hope to see him again,he hasn’t seen his baby daughter yet,and he may never see her .
I bet that you will be back soon under the name of “retourner”
March 27th, 2013, 6:25 am
Mina said:
who could argue that Qatar is an economy based on slavery and discrimination which cannot be credible when it pretends to give moral lessons?
did you miss this one?
http://www.syrianews.cc/syrian-electronic-army-hacks-arab-league-website/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
http://worldmathaba.net/items/1674-syria-a-photoshopped-revolution
March 27th, 2013, 6:43 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Few comments
1 Colonel Ryad Asaad injury could be fatal,amputation at thigh level has high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis in the femoral vein and that could travel to the lung and cause massive pulmonary embolus,I hope they are watching for this, a temporary vena cava filter and anticoagulation must be done to prevent such complication.
2- Thomas Friedman comment clearly speak for Israeli policy the only thing he cares about is Israel and not Human life.
3- We hear US is training forces in Jordan we don’t know the purpose , this could be to steel the revolution
4- I disagree that the Assad army is not disintegrating, this army is well equiped with all kinds of weapons artillaries,tanks jets missile,yet it proved to be very weak and almost useless,this is not an army that is strong and can be trusted to defend Assad and be victorious this is disintegrating army.
March 27th, 2013, 8:08 am
Syrialover said:
ALI #19
Thanks for your frank and heartfelt comment. I would hope you would stay, not leave, because your perspective as a real person posting here (not an operator) is as important as mine or anyone else’s.
We are ALL in shock and disbelief and numb with grief at what has happened in Syria.
But I have come to understand it was inevitable for a violent totalitarian system that survived into the 21st century.
And that Bashar Assad is an ill-equipped and doomed man “trapped in his dead father’s web” (see article linked below).
I have enormous sympathy for ordinary Alawi, including many in the armed forces, and unless linked to the corruption and violence at the centre I desperately hope to see their right to live as ordinary Syrians restored. It is a tragedy that their identity and fate has become so entwined with the Assads whether they wanted that or not.
I understand your beliefs come from what you experienced and absorbed in your upbringing. And you were obviously reared to be over-conscious of your clan and sect – and therefore of others’ clans and religions. An unfortunate mental framework that is both a symptom and cause of social, political, economic, legal and other underdevelopment and inequality.
But I am confounded how you can be living in a western democracy (which I assume you are) and not look around you and lose your acceptance and respect for the Assad dictatorship. Why would anyone in a normal world “love Assad” and believe he (or any individual) is qualified to hold total power in a country?
The Syria you love was not created by the Assads. But you have lived to see them destroy it rather than respect the rights of 95% of the Syrian population, Syria’s heritage and identity.
But if you love Syria and see its value and potential as the people of Syria and nothing to do with the Assads you may rediscover your sense of country, only better and more authentic.
You seem young, bright, thoughtful and energetic enough to be part of a better future, not an emotional captive of the disastrous past.
Please reconsider. Your comments here provide a window into the different perspectives and insights required to re-create Syria.
PS Referred to above – “Daddy Dearest – Inside the Mind of Bashar al-Assad” http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/03/04/daddy-dearest-inside-the-mind-of-bashar-al-assad.html
March 27th, 2013, 8:20 am
apple_mini said:
Thomas Friedman’s opinion is quite amazing. Consider how he was so euphoric about Egypt when he was with the opposition at Tahrir Square. Also his earlier unconditional support to the Syrian opposition.
The dynamic of his personal point of view actually depicts the dynamic of Syrian conflict accordingly.
Friedman points out, “None of them believe the rebels can or will build a stable, secular, multisectarian democracy in Assad’s wake.”
This really penetrates deep to the most crucial problem facing the opposition: they are not what they have been claiming more progressive than the regime.
“What are Qatar’s and Saudi Arabia’s goals? Are we to believe that these two archrival Wahhabi fundamentalist monarchies, the two main funders and arms suppliers of the Syrian uprising, are really both interested in creating a multisectarian, multiparty democracy in Syria, which they would not tolerate in their own countries?” That is enough for us to know how dirty and wicked Saudi and Qatar are.
“Who can reassure the Syrian Alawites or Christians that they will have a place in a post-Assad Syria, if the rebels can’t get along with one another? ” So listen up, moderate Alawite and Christian in the opposition.
The regime should let someone translate the article and publish on all of its news media.
March 27th, 2013, 8:21 am
Syrialover said:
Anyone looking for a good English translation of Moaz al-Khatib’s Speech at the Arab Summit on March 26, 2013, see this:
http://abujamajem.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/moaz-al-khatib-speech-at-the-arab-summit-march-26-2013/
(this site is good – the guy makes a hobby of translating various Arabic documents in the news)
March 27th, 2013, 8:27 am
Syrialover said:
# 30. APPLE_MINI
Fortunately, Thomas Friedman is just a self-important over-opinionated bore, who among other things regards himself as useful to Israel. He won’t know any more on the Syrian situation than anyone else sitting in a NY office and dipping in and out of the subject, probably less.
See if you can get a youtube clip of him talking and look at his “important” expression – it is almost comical.
Putting him aside, in Syria the rifts are between those who are interested in Syria and those who are simply interested in getting into power in Syria.
The former approach should be a basis in common for Alawite, Sunni and Christian. If you read the accounts of disputes within the opposition it comes down to the same thing. Al-Nusrah and the MB are not actually interested in Syria or Syrians, they are just riding the revolutiojn as a power trip – and Syrians know it.
March 27th, 2013, 8:46 am
Dawoud said:
Given the last article by al-Tamimi (who is a fellow at Daniel Pipes’ anti-Muslim/Arab/Palestinian and pro-Israel Middle East Forum), it was troubling to see how pro-Basharists, Zionists, and anti-Sunnis having consistent views. It is one of the reasons that The Syrian Revolution is not only necessary to free Syria, but also consistent with the Arab World’s determination to end the Zionist occupation.
As to those who are comparing al-Khatib to Ahmad Chalabi, I have a few points:
1) Wow! Wasn’t Ahamd Chalabi who brought America’s neocons to occupy Iraq and give it to Iran and its puppets? For the pro-Assad/pro-Iran/pro-Hizbistan, Chalabi Chalabi should be applauded! This is the reason that Ahmad Chalabi is very welcome in Tehran, Iran! Also, this is the reason that the shia traitors/sectarians of the Bahraini al-Wifaq party were recruiting Ahmad Chalabi to lobby his American friends against the Bahraini government! If you keep talking about Chalabi, Hasan NasrA$s of Lebanon’s Hizbistan will covertly be very upset! He may deport your American A@@ from Lebanon (Hizbistan). Press TV may fire you! 🙂 🙂
2) Go and learn to speak and understand real Arabic! Mr. Mo’ath al-Khatib was so eloquent and outspoken. He even lectured Arab dictators to release political prisoners and follow the traditions of the Caliph Omar ibn al-Khatab who asked for ordinary people’s advice. Unlike Chalabi and al-Maliki (who entered Iraq behind the American tanks), Mr. al-Khatib never asked NATO to send troops and invade Syria. He only asked for NATO to stop Syrian warplanes. I still disagree with him because, instead of asking for NATO’s help, he should have asked for Arabs to supply the Free Syrian Army with anti-tanks/anti-warplanes missiles. In any case, NATO will not do anything and Syrians have-as they will- free their country without foreign intervention. In fact, they have to stop the Iranian FOREIGN intervention before doing so.
3) Free Syria, Free Palestine, Bahrain is Arab forever!
March 27th, 2013, 8:50 am
Juergen said:
Billy Six the german reporter who was imprisoned for almost 3 days said yesterday in an panel discussion that he thought that the Army still have the means to dominate the scene, but surely not the morals. He witnessed am fight between Sunni soldiers of one contingent and their alawite counterparts, all were still under the SAA umbrella. Such breakaways are more common and he assumed also that it looked very often that the Army is using old equipment and techniques. He was giving an example. They use not the most modern navigational system to aim. They can not drop their bombs like NATO from high altitudes, therefore the pilotes have to fly low over rebel controlled areas, and are an easier target for machine guns and other otherwise useless weapons against MIG fighter jets. He also referred that many bombs do not detonate and therefore end up as dud shots.
March 27th, 2013, 8:52 am
Syrialover said:
British Muslims fighting in Syria could commit terrorist attacks in UK
There are “hundreds” of Europeans now fighting in Syria, some of whom are with groups linked to al Qaeda, the Home Office has told MPs.
In an annual report on its Contest counter-terrorism strategy, the Home Office warned of the risk to Britain and other European nations posed by foreign fighters now gaining military experience in Syria.
British Muslims fighting in Syria’s civil war could return home to carry out terrorist attacks, intelligence chiefs have warned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/9953949/British-Muslims-fighting-in-Syria-could-commit-terrorist-attacks-in-UK.html
Great! Recommission Guantanamo and laugh at their howls to be brought home safely when their mission in Syria collapses.
March 27th, 2013, 8:55 am
Syrialover said:
This is getting even better. The Saudis should contribute to funding an expanded Guantanamo.
It’s all helpful to Syria and gives strength to the moderates’ cause.
Article: “”Saudis fighting in Syria will be arrested when they return”
Saudi Arabia has warned its nationals that if they join the fighting in Syria they will be arrested when they return home.
The stark warning was issued by Interior Ministry. Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, Arab News reported. The warning is a notch higher than that issued in September 2012 which forbade Saudis from joining the Syrian jihad but stopped short of announcing arrests for those involved.
Al-Turki stressed “Involvement in the Syrian crisis is against Saudi laws” the Saudi Gazette reported.
Although the Kingdom publicly supports the Syrian rebels attempting to oust the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, it is wary of fired up jihadists returning to Saudi prepared to fight against the government.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/346544
March 27th, 2013, 9:01 am
zoo said:
Russia’s new Middle East energy game
http://www.thecommentator.com/article/3048/russia_s_new_middle_east_energy_game
Moscow won’t jeopardize its new deeply strategic energy partnership with its Israeli-Greek Cypriot ‘Western’ partners, in particular, its burgeoning relationship with the Middle East’s coming energy superpower, Israel.. Where does that leave Iran? ( and Syria ?
…
First, it sends a clear message to Turkey should the Ankara Government consider military intervention in an attempt to stop Greek Cypriot gas and oil exploration and infrastructure development. Second, for all its apparent support for Syria’s Assad regime, Russia’s energy partnership with Israel is clearly meant for the long haul whichever side gains control in Damascus. No wonder Israel has recently felt sufficiently emboldened to issue oil and gas exploration rights on the disputed Golan Heights.
But, most significantly of all, Russia’s ME ‘re-alignment’ delivers a powerful retort to the hand-wringing angst of Western intellectuals and media ‘experts’ who persist in invoking the fear-laden question: what would Russia do if Israel decides militarily intervention is the only way to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions?
March 27th, 2013, 9:14 am
Mina said:
The modern definition of democracy according to the AL: 28 beheadings in 3 months, and the Turkish liberal model. I hope everybody enjoyed the 5 minutes of free speech by al Khatib, as long as the masses were watching a Turkish soap on TV while he was giving it!
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/67844/World/Region/Saudi-Arabia-beheads,-crucifies-Yemeni-convict.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/67859/World/Region/Freedom-of-expression-in-Turkey-under-attack-Amnes.aspx
March 27th, 2013, 9:19 am
revenire said:
Syrialover there are hacked letters from the Saudi govt. that show them sending their convicts to Syria. This contradicts what you say. They’re sending tons of weapons that end up in the hands of people who behead Christians. I am not sure how you can call that a voice for moderation.
Perhaps you need a few more cups of coffee.
PS If you read Arabic I will happily find the official KSA letters that sent 100s of Saudi convicts to murder Syrians.
March 27th, 2013, 9:20 am
revenire said:
Juergen if I were you I’d find better sources of propaganda. Your “Hoo Rah Rah” posts are getting pretty limp. I have to wonder if your wife is satisfied with you.
Cheers.
March 27th, 2013, 9:24 am
revenire said:
Syrian Sunnis: Guilty by Association
The Arab Spring is often characterized as a ‘democratic’ revolution for liberty and the dissipation of political repression. Unfortunately, the term ‘Arab’ has no business being used due to the lack of the ethnic element of these uprisings. One could even argue that the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, and Libya were all birthed in favor of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafism.
There is much discussion on the role of Sunni Islam in the governments of the Middle East. Some Sunni scholars call for Sharia Law, while others call for a more secular rule. Nevertheless, it has created strife within this religious denomination as many Sunnis find themselves at odds with fellow members. In Syria, the disunity and antipathy for one another cannot be more apparent. 75 percent of the Syrian population belongs to the Sunni sect of Islam; this sect is comprised of more than 15 million Syrians.
Since the inception of the protests in Syria, Sunnis have been immersed in a civil war within their own sect in the country. Some Sunnis have tried to remain neutral, but it has been to no avail. Many are assorted as regime sympathizers by the Opposition and vice versa. On a micro-level, this cannot be misconstrued. However, on a macro-level, they are consolidated and misquoted.
The event that created a colossal shockwave through Syria was the recent attack on a mosque in Damascus that took almost fifty lives. Who were considered the perpetrators? Sunni Muslims. Yes, groups like Jabhat al-Nusra are Sunni Muslims, but they do not represent all Sunnis. In fact, many Sunni Muslims in Syria condemned this act of terrorism. For some of the Opposition members, this is not what they envisaged when they thought of changing Syria. The Sunnis who support the regime were disgusted by this complete disregard for human life.
Sunnis in Syria have been subcategorized into one faction. The action of one Sunni has been deemed the will of all Sunnis. This cannot be far from the truth. The foreign insurgents ‘jihading’ in Syria do not represent these people. The governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not represent Sunni Syrians. So, why have they imposed their will onto these people? It is in their benefit. They realize that the majority of the people are Sunni and by falsifying the number of supporters, they are succoring their cause, while systematically destroying a sovereign country in the Middle East in the name of their own sectarianism.
There are many Sunnis serving in the Syrian Arab Army and in support of Dr. Bashar al-Assad. Bashar’s wife is Sunni. Maher’s wife is Sunni. There is no sectarianism on behalf of the regime, but rather, on behalf of the Opposition. Remember, it was Moaz al-Khatib who attacked the Alawis and Shiites on television. The government has not targeted Sunni mosques and people. The army did not desecrate the beautiful Ummayad Mosque. This conflict is not about Syrian against Syrian; it’s about fundamentalists against Syrians.
http://www.mideastpress.org/syrian-sunnis-guilty-by-association/
March 27th, 2013, 9:36 am
Juergen said:
Reve
The iranian politcal attachè was pretty much impressed last night, and I guess someone who was there and imprisoned by the regime can share his views right? And by the way, he was not so critical of the regime as one would think.
And by the way, I am not married, so no concerns needed for the wellbeing of my wife.
PS: You may want to use your wasta to let Muallim publish the sextapes of some AL heads of state, or was that just a big bluff?
Sl
Given the number of detainies with Saudi papers, that would be an brilliant idea to let the Saudis pay for an new terrorist adventure camp as Ann would put it.
March 27th, 2013, 9:37 am
zoo said:
Curiously there has been no survey inside Syria about the average Syrian perspective on the situation.
We only get second and third hand information in majority from activists and anti-regime media.
The Syrians’ voices seem to ignored in favor of some ‘leaders’ brought in by Qatar, France and the USA.
Not only the elections of the PM was done by 48 unelected ‘representants’, but the dubious result was legitimized by the Arab League.
As the proven popular support as well as the military support are missing, the whole process appears like an attempted ‘coup d’etat’ or worse a ‘gang rape’
March 27th, 2013, 9:37 am
ann said:
43. zoo said:
“”” Not only the elections of the “PM” was done by 48 unelected ‘representants’, but the dubious result was legitimized by the Arab League “””
Democracy “Ahmed Chalabi Style”! 😀 😀 😀
I give them “F” for originality!
March 27th, 2013, 9:46 am
zoo said:
Revenir
As long as moderate Sunnis do not dissociate themselves clearly and strongly from Wahhabists, Moslem brotherhood and other extremists sects, they will be tainted with their crimes and they will be looked suspiciously and despised in the West as we are observing it increasingly these days.
Instead of remaining with the ambiguous qualifier of ‘moderate sunnis’, it is time they pick their own name, a label that differentiates them from Salafism, Moslem Brotherhood etc..
Something like ‘Free Sunnis’ or whatever…
March 27th, 2013, 9:50 am
Akbar Palace said:
Dawoud is “Determined” NewZ
It is one of the reasons that The Syrian Revolution is not only necessary to free Syria, but also consistent with the Arab World’s determination to end the Zionist occupation.
Dawoud,
I met presonally with Ahmad Chalabi when I was friends with Dave and Meyrav Wurmser. Mayrav Wurser, btw is one of those “poor” Mizrachis who was “discriminated” against in Israel (NOT!). She excelled in school and the rest is history.
http://www.hudson.org/learn/index.cfm?fuseaction=staff_bio&eid=Wurmser
Ahmad Chalabi is a charming fellow who once led the Iraqi National Congress. In the mid-09s:
He was involved in organizing a resistance movement among Kurds in northern Iraq in the early mid-1990s. When that effort was crushed and hundreds of his supporters were killed, Chalabi fled the country. Chalabi lobbied in Washington for the passage of the Iraq Liberation Act (passed October 1998), which earmarked US$97 million to support Iraqi opposition groups, virtually all of which was funneled through the INC.[citation needed]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Chalabi
In retrospect, the US did the right thing to bring Saddam Hussein to trial. As quickly as the US entered Iraq to conduct regime change, the US should have left.
In any case, I am proud as an American that the US gave Iraq the opportunity to create a democracy. It remains to be seen if Iraq will take advantage of that. No good deed goes unpunished in the ME.
BTW, you never answered my College Question from the last thread:
Who has been treated worse, the Palestinians from the Israeli government, or Syrians from the Syrian government? Please state your reasons in each case.
March 27th, 2013, 9:55 am
AIG said:
What could be more ironic and pathetic than regime supporters complaining about lack of democracy among the Sunnis of Syria when it was the Assads that for decades made sure that the Sunnis could not form democratic and secular parties. And how about the Assad rule, could anybody ask the Syrian people if they wanted it? Of course not. Assad was a tyrant who blocked freedom of speech and did not allow any real opposition movement. So what are the regime idiots complaining about now? If you liked Assad’s methods, why do you have a problem with what is happening in the Sunni community?
If you argue that Sunnis are responsible for Al-Nusra, then Alawites are responsible for the Rabbit of the Golan. Two bad arguments, but make them at your own risk if you like.
March 27th, 2013, 10:11 am
Dawoud said:
1) Iran Admits Close Ties With Chalabi: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120690,00.html
(2) Meyrav Wurmser: The Neocons’ Den Mother
http://www.wrmea.org/wrmea-archives/309-washington-report-archives-2006-2010/april-2007/9132-meyrav-wurmser-the-neocons-den-mother.html
By Richard H. Curtiss
MEYRAV WURMSER, den mother of the neoconservatives, is now head of the Center for Middle East Policy at the far-right Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. A typical institute program included a Feb. 5 lecture by the former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, American-born Dore Gold, who introduced his new book, The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the West and the Future.Gold’s previous Arab-bashing book, published in 2004, was Hatred’s Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism, published by Regnery Publishers.
When I last wrote about Dr. Wurmser (April 2003Washington Report, p. 14), she and her colleague, Col. Yigal Carmon of Israel’s Mossad, had launched the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Founded in February 1998, MEMRI specializes in translating and distributing articles that present Arabs in a highly negative light, and providing these articles and free Internet advisories to the media in the U.S., Britain and, presumably, to other countries as well.
According to Vincent Cannistraro, a former CIA counterintelligence official, MEMRI is selective and acts as propagandists for a political point of view which follows the extreme right of Likud. “MEMRI follows a familiar pattern,” noted journalist Brian Whitaker. “Either it reflects badly on the character of Arabs or it in some way furthers the political agenda of Israel.”(See November 2002 Washington Report, p. 22.)
In recent years prominent people have quoted MEMRI translations, including, astonishingly, Richard Cohen of The Washington Post. Others, predictably, include Prof. Bernard Lewis of Princeton University; Israel-firster Charles Krauthammer of The Washington Post; Martin Peretz, editor-in-chief of The New Republic; U.S. Rep. Thomas Lantos (D-CA); and former CIA Director James Woolsey.
According to the conservative National Review, 250 foundations and individuals fund MEMRI’S activities. Among these private donors is the right-wing Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, which gave MEMRI $100,000 from 1999 to 2000. In 2001, the Randolph Foundation gave MEMRI $100,000, and in 2004 the John M. Olin Foundation gave $5,000, according to Media Transparency. All these donations were tax-deductible.
Prof. Halim Barakat of Georgetown University complained about MEMRI’s translations of his articles: “Every time I wrote Zionism, MEMRI replaced the word by Jew or Judaism,” he wrote. “They want to give the impression that I’m not criticizing Israeli policy, but that what I’m saying is anti-Semitic.”
Indeed, MEMRI seems bent on stigmatizing anyone who criticizes Israel and/or Zionism as being anti-Jewish.
With the exception of Meyrav Wurmser, who actually is an Israeli, neoconservatives are Americans extraordinarily sympathetic to Israel. Dr. Wurmser studied at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (SAIS). Her Ph.D. thesis was based on the Revisionist/Herut/Likud Party from Ze’ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky through Menachem Begin to Yitzhak Shamir.
[…]
3) A link with a few useful articles on Wurmser’s so-called “MEMRI” and its pro-Israel, anti-Muslim false propaganda (funny how pro-Iran/Hizbistan Basharists are now in harmony with MEMRI and Daniel Pipes/his fellows!):
http://electronicintifada.net/search/site/MEMRI
March 27th, 2013, 10:14 am
zoo said:
Syria: Opposition Divisions fruits of rivalry between Doha and Riyadh
http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Derni%C3%A8res+Infos/article/807280/Syrie%3A_les_divisions_de_lopposition_fruits_des_rivalites_entre_Doha_et_Ryad.html
..
After the meeting in Istanbul, Saudi Arabis has hinted that it was “unhappy with the choice of Hitto leading the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to reject that choice,” an opponent who requested the anonymity, told AFP
Daraya rebel fighters in the province of Damascus tells AFP that because lack of arms and ammunition, they were on the verge of losing the city besieged by the regime for more than three months.
But, one of them said, “when Mr. Khatib made ??his offer of dialogue with the regime, weapons flowed quickly.”
“This means that the weapons were stored at the border. However because they were not favorable to Al Khatib’s offering, Turkey and Qatar released these weapons to promote escalation on the ground and put in doubt the validity of this offer, “said another fighter.
According to an Arab specialist, weapons sent by the Qatar arrived to groups close to the Muslim Brotherhood via Turkey.
However, he adds, the Saudis prefer to fund and arm the military councils led by dissident army “for fear of the increasing role of radical Islamists”, an approach supported by the United States. Saudi deliveries now arrive by the Jordanian border.
As for Salafists, including Al-Front Nosra they are funded by NGOs based particularly Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, according to the specialist Arab Syria, who does not want to be named.
March 27th, 2013, 10:38 am
mjabali said:
Michelle Kilo made fun in a racist manner of the Syrian Bedoins in an interview with al-Hurra TV. Today he is apologizing after people faced him with his lunacy….what a kook!
March 27th, 2013, 11:13 am
Dawoud said:
For ZOO, Ali, Ann, Daniel Pipe’s fellow (Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi), et al……Every Syrian male in the opposition who has a beard is a “jihadist!” Yes, if you live fighting in the wilderness without electricity and hot water, you will grow a beard! In his Arab league speech, Syrian Opposition leader, al-Khatibe, described the same thing by saying that every oppositon Syrian male with a beard is described as “Jihadist!” Even the CIA agrees that among the Syrian Jihadists, who are a tiny minority of the Syrian oppositon, “foreign” (non-Syrian) Jihadists are a very tiny minority (less than 5%).
March 27th, 2013, 11:18 am
Akbar Palace said:
You Can Lead a Horse to Water…
Indeed, MEMRI seems bent on stigmatizing anyone who criticizes Israel and/or Zionism as being anti-Jewish.
Dawoud,
Thank you for the Richard Curtiss article. I dispute nothing in your link. What do you take issure with in his article?
Perhaps if “A Clean Break” were implemented, 70000 Syrians would not be dead. What do you think?
Everyone and his mother enjoys talking about Israel and their horrible “abuses”, yet Israeli-Arabs have the most freedoms in the ME. Why is that? What do Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein and Jonathan Cook and this guy Richard Curtiss have to say about the despots who run the ME? I’ll tell you:
NOTHIING!
It is a tiresome occupation to show you anti-Zionists that if the ME treated their people as well as the Israelis, millions of lives could be saved, economies could prosper, and people could be living in peace and freedom.
But no, “resistance” with all the related “by-products” is what you seem to prefer.
So be it.
March 27th, 2013, 11:27 am
zoo said:
Casper the friendly ghost “president” of the SNC is angry at the USA and NATO’s refusal to create a no-fly zone to shoot down Syrian planes from Turkey.
NATO message to Casper: Instead of that, stand by your ideas on negotiations and work harder for a political solution.
NATO head urges Syria political solution, rules out intervention
Alkhatib told Reuters on Wednesday that the refusal by international powers to provide Patriot missile support sent a message to Assad to “do what you want”.”
March 27th, 2013, 11:30 am
zoo said:
Dawood
I have not seen many of these false jihadists with long hair. I guess the USA non lethal aid provided them with scissors. Then why don’t they cut also they long beards so they are not accused of being Talibans like?
March 27th, 2013, 11:34 am
Mina said:
AP 46
How can you call democracy a place where any self-proclaimed tribal or religious leaders can dictate his will on women?
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/iraq-after-saddam
March 27th, 2013, 11:39 am
zoo said:
What was Casper promised this time?
Report: Al-Khatib may reverse resignation
DAMASCUS, Syria, March 27 (UPI) — Moaz al-Khatib, a key opposition figure in Syria’s civil war, could rescind his resignation as leader of the Syrian National Coalition, activists said.
A former leader of the Syrian National Council said Khatib has “not closed the door” to staying on as leader of the opposition’s main umbrella coalition, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
Other opposition officials said they expected Khatib to reverse his decision to leave the post after he had expressed frustration of appealing to the international community for help in ending the nation’s civil war.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/03/27/Report-Al-Khatib-may-reverse-resignation/UPI-15291364392430/#ixzz2OksXZxXc
March 27th, 2013, 11:42 am
Dawoud said:
52. Akbar Palace
Akbar Palace writes:
“Perhaps if “A Clean Break” were implemented, 700000 Syrians would not be dead. What do you think?”
Wake up Mr. Akbar Palace! 1,000,000 Iraqis died as a result of Chalabi’s (Iran’s and neocons’ agent), Wofowitz’s, Perl’s, Feith’s, Wurmser’s, et al. PHASE ONE “clean break.” Had their Zionist “clean break” proceeded to other phases, a few more million Arabs and Muslims would have died and dispossessed! I am sure a Zionist like you wouldn’t mind it! Do you remember when a journalist aksed Secretary of State Madeline Albright on whether the sanctions on Iraq were worth one million Iraqi dead children and she answered “Yes, it is worth it!”
Still, after Syrians-without a Zionist foreign intervetion-liberate their country the number of dead wouldn’t reach 1 million. As importantly, Free Syrians will not be tainted (like Nuri al-Maliki, who went to Iraq behind the American tanks) as puppets of Zionists and NATO!
March 27th, 2013, 11:44 am
zoo said:
The Syrian Army on the offensive in Damascus and Homs
Warplanes strike rebel posts in Damascus: activists
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Mar-27/211658-warplanes-strike-rebel-posts-in-damascus-activists.ashx#axzz2Oktu0R3P
“Two air strikes were carried out on rebel-held buildings in Qaboon,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding that violence in Damascus has risen after insurgents seized control of Jobar district in the city’s east.
“There is now fighting in Tadamun, Assali, Yarmuk, Qadam and Qaboon districts,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP of outlying neighbourhoods of the capital that have previously seen intermittent violence.
…
In the central city of Homs, the army pressed its campaign against rebel enclaves, pounding the district of Khaldiyeh in the heart of the city, the Observatory added.
March 27th, 2013, 11:48 am
Akbar Palace said:
How can you call democracy a place where any self-proclaimed tribal or religious leaders can dictate his will on women?
Hi Mina,
I never said Iraq is a democracy. What I said was:
In any case, I am proud as an American that the US gave Iraq the opportunity to create a democracy. It remains to be seen if Iraq will take advantage of that. No good deed goes unpunished in the ME.
It appears the Iranians and their influence is turning Iraq into a a killiing-field like Syria.
Personally, as an American, I would like to help Syria and Iraq become a democracy, but I fear it won’t work and may do more damage than good.
Mr. Dawoud,
Why don’t you answer my College Question about Syria and Israel? Still waiting…
Where did you get the “1,000,000” figure? Who exactly was responsible for these deaths? Who killed more Saddam Hussein and the muslim “insurgents” or the US?
Still, after Syrians-without a Zionist foreign intervetion-liberate their country the number of dead wouldn’t reach 1 million.
Although I dispute your figure of 1 million, you have a point. Since the US gets blamed for everything and arab despots get the preverbial “Get out of Jail Free” card, perhaps the US should let the arabs and muslims kill themselves.
March 27th, 2013, 11:50 am
zoo said:
Surprise: It is not named as the Embassy of a country, but as the “Embassy” of a unelected group of people.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/syria-rebels-open-embassy-qatar-141826938.html#5bLEGph
Syria rebels open ’embassy’ in Qatar
The head of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib and Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khaled al-Attiya inaugurated the representative office dubbed the “Embassy of the Syrian National Coalition.”
March 27th, 2013, 11:57 am
revenire said:
Dawoud et al. no reliable numbers from the CIA on the percentage of foreign fighters in Syria. More reliable are the dead rats’ own IDs. My sources come directly from the Syrian military and government. I realize you will dismiss them so if you can show me something reliable, with provable data, I am all ears (or eyes).
I believe that even in media that is against Syria (most of the West’s) you will find dozens and dozens of stories documenting the jihadis who came to Syria to murder Syrians.
And, for some reason, the idiots film themselves and their accents are easy to spot as distinct from Syrian accents.
You have a reason to downplay the percentage of foreign rats in Syria and everyone here knows that.
March 27th, 2013, 12:11 pm
Juergen said:
Zoo
Yazd is a beautiful , its the home of Zoroastrianism. They keep an firetemple there with a fire to be continuously kept alive since 2000 years. I can highly recommend the Silk Road Hotel.
http://www.silkroadhotel.ir
March 27th, 2013, 12:16 pm
zoo said:
Pathetic and childlike Casper: He thinks he is so important that the USA will obey him ? Doesn’t he yet understand he is just a puppet .
Syria opposition chief surprised by US refusal of missile cover
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/67880/World/Region/Syria-opposition-chief-surprised-by-US-refusal-of-.aspx
Syria’s opposition chief said on Wednesday he was “surprised” by a US decision to reject his demand for NATO to provide Patriot missile protection for rebel bastions in the country’s north.
“There is an international will that the revolution does not come out victorious,” Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, head of the National Coalition, said in Doha, Qatar.
“But the people that have defied injustice and tyranny will not stop,” said Khatib, who still acts as the head of the coalition despite announcing his resignation on Sunday.
He told an Arab League summit on Tuesday that he had asked US Secretary of State John Kerry to extend the umbrella provided by Patriot anti-missile batteries positioned in Turkey to protect rebel-held parts of north Syria.
March 27th, 2013, 12:21 pm
zoo said:
Juergen
With your strong anti-Iran and anti-Syria position, be sure you will be unwelcomed there.
March 27th, 2013, 12:25 pm
AIG said:
Zoo,
Let’s see. Which leader in the name of serving Iranian interests wrecked his own country, and in fact is an Iranian puppet?
Let me make this easy for you, by giving you 3 options to choose from:
1) Bashar Assad
2) The Rabbit of the Golan
3) The “beating heart of the Arab world”
March 27th, 2013, 12:37 pm
zoo said:
CIA’s contradiction show confused US strategy
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/cia-s-contradiction-show-confused-us-strategy-1.1163507
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has got itself into the confused position of fighting Sunni fighters in Iraq, but supporting some of them in Syria.
It is also working with the Shiite government in Iraq to limit Sunni success in Syria to Iran’s long-term benefit.
All this under-the-table activity comes at a time when US President Barack Obama is claiming that the US has withdrawn from Iraq and does not want to get involved in Syria.
…
The noted investigative writer, Robert Dreyfuss, has commented on the confusion in US policy illustrated by two newspaper reports.
The Wall Street Journal has shown that in Iraq, the US is secretly fighting Al Qaida and their radical Sunni allies. However, in Jordan, as the New York Times has reported, the same CIA is training Sunni fighters in Jordan to do battle against the government of President Bashar Al Assad.
So, as Dreyfuss sums up: “We are fighting the people in Iraq that we are promoting in Syria.” He takes his analysis of the confusion further when he looks at the killing of the 50 Syrian government soldiers who had fled to Iraq.
In theory, the US should have been delighted with this support for its anti-government actions, but in fact the US is on the other side in Iraq. It is working with Al Maliki to squash Iraqi Al Qaida and Al Maliki is using this support to crush the much wider Sunni opposition to his government.
…
March 27th, 2013, 12:39 pm
Juergen said:
Zoo
I am anti regime not anti Iran nor Anti Syria., that makes a big difference, and I was welcomed by many Iranians for have this stand, I may leave out Qom and Tehran this time, my visa has been approved last week.
March 27th, 2013, 12:39 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace,
Whether someone kill 5 another kill 10 ,they both are bad,your argument that whoever kill less is not as bad is nonsense ,killing is bad.period.
Zoo
what difference if Khatib resigned or not,Miqati resigned,he is still acting as prime minister and he talks like he is going to form the new goverment
March 27th, 2013, 12:47 pm
zoo said:
#68 Juergen
Iran supports Syria regime and in particular Bashar al Assad that you have been insulting for the past two years. You have also been insulting Hezbollah. Do you think Iranian authorities will be indifferent to your open antagonism toward their allies.
You have already been qualified on SC as a CIA spy. In your place I’ll be very careful in Iran.
March 27th, 2013, 12:48 pm
Jasmine said:
60. ZOO said:
Surprise: It is not named as the Embassy of a country, but as the “Embassy” of a unelected group of people.
Why are you surprised,this is a khaliji trend,didn’t they name a country after their family name?
Pure democracy!
March 27th, 2013, 12:49 pm
zoo said:
#69 Majed
Your comparison is incorrect:
While Mikati’s resignation has been accepted by the president, Casper’s resignation has not.
When is the election of the next ‘president’ of the SNC?
I think that Qatar is very happy to keep an immature and easily influenced ‘moderate’ religious man as the facade for the gang of Moslem Brotherhood and US snakes.
Don’t worry HBJ will find ways to have Casper stay… He is too precious as a PR.
I predicted Casper will resign, and he did. Now I predict he will rescind his decision unless he is offered a job with the NCC. Unlike Ghaliun, he has no other job and no place to go.
March 27th, 2013, 12:54 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Jasmin
Have you ever heared of Syria Al Assad?
March 27th, 2013, 12:56 pm
Tara said:
Zoo,
Your answer to Jurgen is…intriguing.
What about me? Should I be careful too visiting the Islamic Republic of Iran?
March 27th, 2013, 1:01 pm
mjabali said:
You guys are wasting your time with “Circular” discussions. Military success is what dictates matters. No one is interested in political solutions. What we are seeing is that all decided to arm with no calculations for the future. Even the US is in the arms race. The only thing that is stopping them from going full blown is al-Nusra and the Islamists. Yes, al-Khatib did give a good speech, but remember, he became a household name because he was brave enough to say: let us find ways to stop violence.
If al-Khatib did not build on his previous non-violence stance he would be consumed fast and left out to go into oblivion like many before him.
PS: Where is Visitor ?????? He cursed my father and called him names for no reason. What type of morals this mahbuuuuuul had learned in his house.
March 27th, 2013, 1:05 pm
zoo said:
…
March 27th, 2013, 1:08 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Akbar Palace,
Whether someone kill 5 another kill 10 ,they both are bad,your argument that whoever kill less is not as bad is nonsense ,killing is bad.period.
Majedkhaldoun,
Thank you for the reply. I rarely argue with you because, reading between the lines, I find your insight gentle and wise.
In the dirty world of politics we can justify anything.
In the case of the ME, I think you can agree that the nations that make up the region are having serious problems and people have been subjected to all kinds of wars, political instability, economic hardship, you name it. Over and above this is the apparent “need” to confront the “Zionist Entity” and secure the flow of resources.
Here are some of my observations:
– the US embargoes against Iraq never included medicines or medical equipment, so the USA cannot be held accountable for the actions of Saddam Hussein
– the estimated number of deaths in Saddam’s mass graves is about 300,000
– the estimated number of deaths to the non-combatant/civilian population by American soliders is about 10,000.
– the US poured hundreds of billions of dollars into the Iraqi enconomy and promoted democracy there.
– the US saved Kuwait from being gobbled up by Saddam Hussein
Now, if the people in the ME and this forum want to blame the US for doing something wrong for deposing Saddam Hussein and trying to set up an Iraqi democracy, then I can only conclude the US should stay out of every other arab/muslim country where a despot is in control. Syria is one country that comes to mind.
As far as killing is concerned, I can only say the best outcome between two bad scenarios is the one where the fewest innocent people die. In the American civil war, 600,000 Americans were killed. As a result, slavery was abolished.
Was it worth it? I think history says, YES.
March 27th, 2013, 1:09 pm
zoo said:
Jasmine
I can’t wait to see opening of the “Embassy of the Syrian National Coalition” in Paris and London. The nominated “ambassadors” have been waiting for a place to set the embassy premises for the last six months. The host countries could not find any.
Since France and the UK are short on money, maybe they are waiting for Qatar to buy an apartment on the Champs-Elysees and on Park Lane to set up officially the embassy.
I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t not happens very soon.
March 27th, 2013, 1:14 pm
zoo said:
Tara
You are a Syrian Moslem. I doubt you could be in any danger of being accused of being a foreign spy. Juergen is a German who has been traveling all over the Arab world under the pretext he works for a travel agency.
Contrary to him, you don’t need a visa to go to Iran.
March 27th, 2013, 1:21 pm
Syrian said:
Aleppo celebrates
http://youtu.be/LBdt2M8lWco
http://youtu.be/LBdt2M8lWco
???? ?? ???? ????
???? ???? ??????? ?? ????
March 27th, 2013, 1:25 pm
Jasmine said:
Zoo @ 76
They always can stay temporally in Le printemps in Paris and Harrod’s in London(both were bought by Qatar ,just in the right time)this will make life easier for shopping while figuring out how to send more arms to kill Syrians.
March 27th, 2013, 1:32 pm
Citizen said:
http://youtu.be/pGsged-umSA?t=35s
Against the background of a gang rape hapless gang Cyprus civilized Europeans events in Syria overshadowed. And yet this is where things are made with a direct bearing on the future of not only the region but also the whole world. And just in Russia. But yesterday a hundred times refuted any information about the murder of Assad. Iranian security guard. There was not a murder, as there are no Iranian guards. And the flow of absurd lies about Syria is unprecedented even by the standards of modern information warfare best demonstrates what forces and what the money is thrown.
Derayya – one of the southern suburbs of Damascus, where more than three months is trimming militants entrenched here. No civilians here. The war is every room, for every meter. This is a small Stalingrad or Grozny. Two-thirds of fighters – foreigners: Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and we have, from Russia. Here in Syria, formed, forged mobile, well-trained and equipped army of fanatics for general international use. As the poet said, “in a public toilet Paris has inscriptions in Russian.” “Death to Russia”, “Today – Syria, tomorrow – Russia”, “Caucasian battalion”, “Putin, we will come to your Kremlin Palace.” Who do not understand – is translated into Arabic, and even on the Arabic-English. “Assad and Putin – the bloody devils,” “Tibet, get up for jihad.”
This is a thing that is bad with the Buddhist jihad. Affect gaps in education in our native Chechnya. General intellectual level recruit to Syria trash from around the world could be better. There is a public quite primitive. Some comrades, for example, are absolutely sure that they are fighting in Israel. And to convince them otherwise impossible. In this case, the Israelis on a blue eye treat these degenerates and arm.
“We protect Syria, we are fighting for a united Syria. We want Syria remained intact. We do not want the section of Syria. We are at war within Syria with the external enemy – with Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, that support terrorism. Our goal – a victory. We will bring security. No matter how many blood – we will win, “- says the captain Khaled.
Khaled, the captain of the elite brigade, one of the best Syrian soldiers. The man who has not left his destroyed tank and continued the fight, that, in fact, can be seen in the picture. This is a man who is believed. Sunni, among other things. The man’s head is already assigned awards and who has nothing to lose.
In fact, a person can not show Syrian soldiers, especially the Sunnis. Their relatives kidnapped and murdered. In general, the “war on terrorism” in Syria – is not a political formula. This is really out terror. Kill and intimidate, kill and intimidate. Sources of human resources of Islamic fanatics and petrodollars flooded monarchies almost inexhaustible. This is a fantastic, surreal picture. Wildest Islamist despotism finance and support the civilized West, sings, arms crowd primitive obscurantist and thugs, destroying most tolerant, tolerant country, not only in Arabic, but in general in the world.
Syrian economy has withstood two years of sanctions, terror, systematic destruction of infrastructure. Syrian army in two years got quite a unique combat experience and cleared. Everyone who could turn the corner, already fled.
Syria will collapse – and all this crowd, international trash creeping us. More it is still nowhere to escape. And Derayya is not a suburb of Damascus, and in the suburbs of Moscow. Today, the Syrian army is fighting, bleeding for us. Not a frequent event in the country’s history. For this she at least have to say a big thanks to him. And the best way to help financially.
/Google translation/
March 27th, 2013, 1:33 pm
zoo said:
Qatar is cautious while Casper is dreaming of a seat at the UN. Resignation? Whose resignation?
I just read that “Embassy of the Syrian National Coalition’ is using a villa offered by Qatar and not the building of the official Syrian Embassy which remains closed.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=57781
Opposition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib and Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khaled al-Attiya inaugurated the representative office dubbed the “Embassy of the Syrian National Coalition”.
The original Syrian embassy itself remains closed.
In a speech addressing the leaders, Khatib said the opposition also wants to assume Syria’s seat at the United Nations.
“This is the first embassy of the Syrian people,” said Khatib in the ceremony that saw the rebel flag raised on a villa provided by the Qatari government.
March 27th, 2013, 1:35 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
there are no rebels. there are infiltrated rats into syria.
i dont trust robert baer.
his position re iran is the israeli position.
re how blind are we (the u.s.).
the u.s. is the cause and continuer of the war against syria.
and western media is not sporadic. it makes up lies against syria.
baer is softly talking out of both sides of his mouth with forked tongues.
March 27th, 2013, 1:47 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
The argument is the double standard US is doing, and the false pretext US uses to commit itself to fight.
US paticipated in Libya ,pretext was to save Bengazi,they continued the war till Gaddafi was killed,Libya has oil,in Syria they did not care about saving lives even that over 80000 were killed,the reason is Israel,in Libya the people in control now are similar to Jabhat Al Nusra.
In case of Saddam,yes he was very bad, the reason why US interfered was Saddam threat to Israel,it was not humanitarian reason,we see in Syria there is good humanitarian reason but no interference,Assad has had peace with Israel,(Undeclared).
Obama before his first election said human rights should be defended everywhere, he proved to be a lier.
March 27th, 2013, 1:49 pm
Citizen said:
“Syria has not been excluded from the League, its membership was suspended. Generally the whole story to the suspension of Syria’s membership in the League of Arab States at the outset of the crisis saying that it (LAS) is not set to a serious negotiation solutions.”
Russia’s representative at the United Nations
Vitaly Churkin.
March 27th, 2013, 1:49 pm
Tara said:
Sami,
Montreal here I come. Hoping not to cross path with any Assads
March 27th, 2013, 1:53 pm
Citizen said:
Ryabkov: “BRICS share the views of the Russian Federation on the Syrian problem”
BRICS leaders have expressed concern over the situation in Syria, which was reflected in the final declaration of the summit. This was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
“As stated in the Declaration, all participants affirmed the Geneva communique of action against Syria,” – he said. “We fix attention, express concern about the situation there,” – said Ryabkov.
Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that the position reflected in the Declaration, as close to the Russian. In his opinion, this is – evidence that the views of Russia to settle the situation in Syria is shared by partners in BRICS.
– Putin proposes to create a virtual secretariat BRICS
Ryabkov declined to comment on the fact that Syrian President Bashar Assad sent a letter to the leaders of the BRICS called for help settle in his country. Deputy did not report any contacts with the Syrian leadership in this regard.
– Assad asks BRICS leaders to help end the violence in Syria
“As for the specifics of diplomatic correspondence of the leaders of the BRICS with Syria, I think if these contacts were to go public, the benefit would be less,” – said Ryabkov.
March 27th, 2013, 1:53 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
If Assad wants to stop violence why he does not stop it himself, why he initiated violence to start with, Assad is a lier, if he realy wants to stop the violence he could have responded to Mr. Khatib initiative and released kids and women and old men.
March 27th, 2013, 2:08 pm
Ziad said:
Something is rotten in the State of Israel
The Israeli army has recently dedicated itself to demonstrating this association. Back on 6 March 2013 the Middle East Monitor reported that
Israeli forces have sprayed Palestinian homes in the village of Nabi Saleh with Skunk as a punishment for organizing weekly protests against the Apartheid Wall built on occupied land. Human rights watchdog B’Tselem published a video showing Israel’s armoured tanker trucks fitted with “water canons” [spraying] the foul fluid.
Skunk is a fluid so offensive smelling that people automatically retreat from anywhere or anyone doused with it.
http://www.redressonline.com/2013/03/the-holy-land-gets-skunked/
March 27th, 2013, 2:14 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
the skunk fluid is recycled jewish sweat. also their mate attractor.
the 600 mile jewish wall of hate and consideration will/should contain that foul odor.
March 27th, 2013, 2:23 pm
revenire said:
Syrian Christians: The Rock of Syria
“You are Petros and on this Petra I will build My church.”
-Matthew 16:18
The word ‘Petros’ means ‘rock’ or a ‘fragment of a rock’ in Greek. Syrian Christians have very much been the rock of Syria. They are as old as Christianity. In fact, the first Christians were from Antioch, Syria (partitioned to Turkey after World War I).
The Syrian Christians are tied to the Levant; they know this is their home. The Jews have Jerusalem, the Shiites have Karbala and Mecca, the Sunnis have Mecca, but the Christians have the land of Syria. A land that is rich in Christian history. The story of Saul converting to Christianity on the road to Damascus, the resting place of John “the Baptist”, and many more stories have found their genesis in Syria. The love they have for the land is immeasurable. Greek Orthodox Churches contain beautiful art work and gorgeous architecture. The Christians of Syria endured the Roman persecutions, the Crusades, and the Ottoman Empire. They are embedded and enshrined in Syrian history. If their history is so illustrious: why are they not engaging in talks with the Opposition? Simple, no talks have been presented to them.
The Opposition spews the same narrative when the topic of Christians comes up in a conversation. “We have attempted dialogue.” Did you really? When the insurgents stormed the province of Aleppo, they attempted to take a Christian area called the Suleimaniyeh, an area comprised of both Armenian and Syrian Orthodox. They found themselves meeting armed, Christian militias. In fact, the prevalence of Christian militias have become paramount in densely populated areas. Why are there Christian militias? This is due to the sectarian tendencies of the subsidiaries of the FSA.
Militant groups like Jabhat al-Nusra have targeted Christian villages and plundered their resources. Christians from Dara’a, left the city after they heard sectarian chants calling for Christians to be exiled to Beirut and Alawis to the grave. For a group of people who have been imperative to the rise and spread of Christianity, they are detested by radical Islamist groups. Though, I would like to point out that this distaste for Christians is a relatively small percentage of Sunni Muslims. Many Sunnis have inhabited the land of Syria for centuries, they have worked side-by-side with Christians. So, the idea that Sunnis want to kill or convert all Christians is ludicrous.
Why are Syrians the foundation for success in Syria? It is an easy answer; they support Bashar because he protects their civil rights. His regime is tolerant to Christians. They are not persecuted or allowed to be persecuted. Hafiz and Bashar al-Assad have made Christians an integral part of their armed forces. Syrian Christians can rise socially through the army. Why would they want a revolution that does not benefit them? The insurgents are not only fighting Alawis, they are also fighting Christians. Sunnis are split and the Alawis are staunchly in support of Assad. This leaves the Christians and Druze. The Druze support Assad for the most part. The Christians, if they were swayed by the Opposition, they could have had a major advantage in Latakia, Homs, and Aleppo.
Christians have fought bravely during this conflict. Christian militias have fought side-by-side with the Syrian Arab Army. One thing has remained clear during this conflict; Christians will control their own destiny. They will ardently support Assad as long as he is committed to preserving their civil liberties.
http://www.mideastpress.org/syrian-christians-the-rock-of-syria/?fb_source=pubv1
March 27th, 2013, 2:27 pm
Sami said:
Tara,
Ahlan wa sahlan wa ya meet marhaba.
It is warming up here and the filth hidden beneath the blanket of snow are creeping up from beneath the melting snow. Speaking of filth, I regularly run into Rifaat’s grand son in Montreal, and let me tell you there is something really special to tel3ani ro7 Havez infront of an Assad.
March 27th, 2013, 2:34 pm
Citizen said:
Washington Escalates War on Syria
http://rinf.com/alt-news/latest-news/washington-escalates-war-on-syria/31166/
http://desertpeace.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/war-businessman2.gif
March 27th, 2013, 3:05 pm
Citizen said:
Israel launched air strikes into Syria in response to border fire from the Golan Heights. What is Israel’s role in the Syrian civil war? What is their hidden agenda? And what about the future of the Golan Heights? CrossTalking with Sabah Al-Mukhtar, Dan Arbell and Nabil Mikhail.
CrossTalk
http://youtu.be/zAKp5Pv395s?t=22s
March 27th, 2013, 3:15 pm
Observer said:
I agree fully with Majbali
It is on the ground that you should look. The AL meeting was a show to allow for the arming of the rebels. It was also a beginning of the end of any dialogue that does not include the hard line aspect of the Geneva accords; that is a transition government that actually strips the presidency of its executive power.
I read with interest the cry of help that the Presthident of Syria addressed to the BRICS asking them to help with dialogue. It is too late to ask for help. It may not be possible for Russia to exert any influence on the opposition at this stage. It is also unlikely to have the local fighters acquiesce to any negotiations at this stage.
I sense a change in the editorial picture coming from AJE and ARABIA. It seems to me that KSA is a little miffed at the role being played by Qatar. I also sense that the debate has moved beyond covering the events on the ground and into the preparation for reconsturction after the demise of the regime.
I deeply regret that ALI is not on this forum. In his very flamboyant and at times outrageous way he brought in a window into the mindset of the regime even in its delusional state.
Truth and Reconciliation now and for both sides before massacres take root.
March 27th, 2013, 3:19 pm
revenire said:
German subtitles so our German jihadi friends can understand what’s going on:
https://www.youtube.com/watchfeature=player_detailpage&v=A73WvIpkB_A
March 27th, 2013, 3:36 pm
revenire said:
You’ll like this one friends – the chants FOR Syria and Bashar are really loud. I am standing at full attention as this plays.
In the video: Iraqi team cheers “Syria in the heart,” and “Bashar in our hearts.”
Iraqi team public have received Syrian team during the coming to People’s Stadium in the Iraqi capital with cheers “Syria in the heart,” and “Bashar in our hearts.”
A video clip has appeared on social networking sites shows the cheers of thousands of Iraqis in the stadium for the friendly match-up between Syria Team for men and the Iraqi football team.
Our national team of football for men has lost in front of his Iraqi counterpart, with two goals against one target within their preparations for future benefits..
Our national team played the match in the presence of a large rally on the ground of People’s Stadium in the capital, Baghdad, after the International Union has agreed football’s governing body FIFA on request of the Iraqi Federation of the game the establishment of friendly matches at home and among its fans.
The game has marked the outstanding performance for our team, despite the loss where it dominated most of the game and missed a large number of players’ opportunities to register while the Iraqi team benefited from the counter-attack and managed to score two goals.
Our team has been able in the first half of the imposition of its absolute superiority over the game where it dominated the midfield and close defensive areas and made available to our attack player Sennacherib Malaki, the professional of Roda Dutch club several opportunities to register, Noor Sabri, the Iraqi goalkeeper has shined in catching the ball to end the first half goalless draw without goals.
With the launch of the second half, the Iraqi striker Younis Mahmoud of sudden our defense and score a goal progress in 50 minutes to lead the players of our team about offensive sites in an attempt to tie and after a series of opportunities the alternative Omar Chriben hit a powerful ball settled on the right of goalkeeper Iraqi aware of equalizer for our team in the 80 minutes, our team tried then to score the winning goal and Uday Jaffal and Maher El Sayed missed unrealized opportunities to register for the benefit of the Iraqi team of rebounds and score the winning goal through player Ali Rehema in the fifth minute of stoppage time of the match.
It is noteworthy that our team is playing in the Asian qualifying in first group, along with teams Amman, Jordan, Singapore and our team are the third in order of the group after losing their first match in the playoffs before his Omani counterpart aim for nothing.
http://breakingnews.sy/en/article/14636.html
March 27th, 2013, 3:41 pm
Citizen said:
U.S. Steps up War on Syria: CIA is the Anchor of a Coordinated Secret Operation
http://www.globalresearch.ca/u-s-steps-up-war-on-syria-cia-is-the-anchor-of-a-coordinated-secret-operation/5328721?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u-s-steps-up-war-on-syria-cia-is-the-anchor-of-a-coordinated-secret-operation
While pretending to be cautious about its intervention in Syria, the Obama administration has conducted a massive clandestine operation over the past two years to pump guns, heavy military equipment and money to fuel the civil war that is destroying Syria.
The CIA is the anchor of this highly coordinated secret operation.
Under the CIA’s supervision, more than 160 military cargo flights have delivered weapons to anti-government armed units in Syria.
One of the ridiculous fictions about the war against Syria is that the Obama administration publicly claims “caution” in arming the rebels, in contrast to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have openly acknowledged their role in fueling the civil war by sending arms and money to the enemies of the Assad government.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar are both absolute and hereditary monarchies whose existence is completely dependent on their role as clients of the United States. So too is the royal family in Jordan, which allows its territory to be a transfer pivot for the massive arms shipments into Syria.
Qatar, with its citizen population of only 250,000 people, does not derive its fighting posture toward Syria from a robust military capability. That is a joke. Rather, Qatar is the location of the Pentagon’s Central Command Forward Headquarters and its Combined Air Operation Center. Qatar is also home to Al Jazeera, which promotes the cause of the armed rebellion against the Assad government.
Qatar is not directing anything except that which the Pentagon approves.
The equally hideous Saudi royal family remains on the throne only because of its close ties to the Pentagon and CIA.
The Saudi monarchy is protected by U.S. imperialism because it is part of an undeclared but real U.S. sphere of influence, and it is the largest producer of oil in the world. The U.S. attitude toward the Saudi monarchy was put succinctly by Ronald Reagan in 1981, when he said that the U.S. government “will not permit” a revolution in Saudi Arabia such as the 1979 Iranian revolution, which removed the U.S. client regime of the Shah. Reagan’s message was clear: The Pentagon and CIA’s military forces would be used decisively to destroy any democratic movement against the rule of the Saudi royal family.
Reagan’s explicit statement in 1981 has in fact been the policy of every successive U.S. administration, including the current one.
It is hard to overstate the extreme irony of Secretary of State John Kerry’s public condemnations of Iran and Russia for maintaining their longstanding relationships with the sovereign and secular government of Syria, while the United States uses the most anti-democratic hereditary monarchies in the Middle East as their clients to fuel a civil war under the banner of “democracy” and “change.”
U.S. policy appears as irony, but it reveals a remarkable consistency and sameness in purpose regardless of whether the occupant in the White House is a conservative Republican or a centrist Democrat. Liberal Democrats in Congress and right-wing Tea Party types are unanimous in their boisterous and vile support for overthrowing the independent governments in the Middle East. At most, their differences are about some tactics versus other tactics. They profess the same goals and objectives. The invasion and war in 2003 overthrew a nationalist, secular and independent government in Iraq. The NATO bombing war of Libya destroyed Qaddafi’s government, which was likewise nationalist, secular and independent. Now the U.S. war machine and clandestine spy services are determined to destroy a similar government in Syria.
The fevered demonization campaign directed at Syria’s government by the same forces that protect the most retrograde monarchies in the Middle East should give pause to those on the “left” who function as an echo chamber for the arguments and rationales provided by the corporate-owned media and the U.S. government.
The U.S. seeks only puppets and client regimes in a region that possesses two-thirds of the world’s oil. The rest is rhetoric. That is the ABCs of the endless pursuit of regime change by the United States against independent governments whose origin and existence was a consequence of the anti-colonial revolutions that rocked the Middle East in the 1950s and 1960s.
March 27th, 2013, 3:42 pm
Akbar Palace said:
The argument is the double standard US is doing, and the false pretext US uses to commit itself to fight. US paticipated in Libya ,pretext was to save Bengazi,they continued the war till Gaddafi was killed,Libya has oil,in Syria they did not care about saving lives even that over 80000 were killed,the reason is Israel,in Libya the people in control now are similar to Jabhat Al Nusra.
Majedkhaldoun,
Both you and Visitor make a good point here about the “US Double Standard” between Libya and Syria. I agree with you. I am American, and I don’t like it, and I think Obama is a BS salesman.
That being said, I am trying to explain to you other circumstances where I think Obama could actually be correct here. IOW, I don’t think the Libyan and Syria civil wars are one and the same: if A then B and if B, then A doesn’t work in this case.
As much as I see the discrepancey, here are a couple of points to consider. Please respond to each point separately:
1.) Whatever the US does, it will be criticized and villified. Just read this website. The arab world hates the US and the Syrian people are divided. Example: Iraq. Whatever blood and treasure the US spent on Iraq, it won the US absoultely nothing in the hearts of the Iraqis and the Arabs.
Do you support this statement? What makes you think it will be any different in Syria?
2.) Libya is a relatively small country in population and is isolated. Syria is very populous and is bordered by many enemies. The effort required to “save” Syria in the same way as Libya is very different
In case of Saddam,yes he was very bad, the reason why US interfered was Saddam threat to Israel,it was not humanitarian reason,we see in Syria there is good humanitarian reason but no interference,Assad has had peace with Israel,(Undeclared).
Your words above is a great example of what I am referring to. INstead of appreciating what the US did to help Iraq, you put it into a context of helping Israel. BTW, most US Jews were AGAINST the war in Iraq. Just FYI. I was for it, but I’m just one Zionist Hooligan!
What makes you think our support of Syria (identical to support as we provided to Iraq) will NOT be taken the same way, namely, that our “regime change” in Syria is only meant to help Israel?
To be very frank with you MajedKhaldoun, the more time I spend on this website, the more I think Obama is correct. I honestly don’t think the USA can do anythingh to make the Arabs happy. When Hashem (“the name”) told Lot and his family not to look back, I am thinking perhaps the ME is something the US should run away from as well…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodom_and_Gomorrah
Convince me why the USA should help Syria. Convince me Syria will not become another Iraq.
Obama before his first election said human rights should b
e defended everywhere, he proved to be a lier.
Obama’s most important task is to secure the USA, all other countries come next. Unless you and others can convince Americans why they should help Syria, most Americans will not want to waste our blood and treasure.
March 27th, 2013, 3:46 pm
Citizen said:
96. REVENIRE
Thanks for the video! brilliant!
March 27th, 2013, 3:53 pm
zoo said:
Let’ hear how many Syrian refugees will the “generous” Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait offer to take? What is the “powerful” Arab League doing about that? What is the ’embassy’ in Qatar doing about that?
Lebanon calls for help in dealing with massive influx of Syrian refugees.
Beirut projects those fleeing violence will account for half its population in a year
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/lebanon-calls-for-help-in-dealing-with-massive-influx-of-syrian-refugees-8552211.html
Lebanon has called for its Syrian refugees to be transferred to other Arab countries to “share the burden” as it projects that those fleeing the violence will account for half of its population by the end of the year.
….
More than 370,000 are registered in Lebanon, but the government estimates that there are already one million Syrians in the country – which has a population of just over four million – and expects that number to double during 2013.
..
The Lebanese government admits that it doesn’t hold out much hope that others in the region will accept the proposal, but it is an indication of its increasing desperation as financial pledges fail to materialise. A fraction of the $1.6bn (£1bn) promised to aid refugees at a donor conference in Kuwait has actually materialised.
March 27th, 2013, 4:00 pm
Mina said:
Who has some interests in cutting the internet in Egypt?
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/67894/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-military-stop-attempt-to-cut-internet-cable.aspx
March 27th, 2013, 4:05 pm
Citizen said:
101. MINA
Israel Defence Forces planning for confrontation with Egypt
http://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/5596-israel-defence-forces-planning-for-confrontation-with-egypt
Israel Today newspaper has prepared a special report on the Arab armies in the Middle East; its title is telling; “Long Arm in the Region” is a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. It is claimed that the IDF is planning for a confrontation with Egypt.
The report has been prepared by the paper’s military editor, Yoav Limor and opens with the failures of the IDF in the 2006 Lebanon war. Limor notes that there is a new unit within the IDF which studies the armies of the Arab states through Israel’s military intelligence agency, Aman. This agency supplies information on the power centres in the region’s armies and their plans, as well as how to exhaust their capabilities even before a direct confrontation. In the event of war with any Arab state, the new unit is ready to present a detailed plan of attack, cutting off enemy supply routes and rendering it unable to retaliate against Israeli attacks. The IDF is supposed to be able to paralyse any Arab army within two days of the outbreak of hostilities.
Apparently, claims Israel Today, the unit was tested with Operation Pillar of Cloud/Defence against the Gaza Strip in November 2012, which followed the assassination of senior Hamas member Ahmed Al-Jaabari. The newspaper pointed out that Israel has a missile defence system which can down any aircraft flying hundreds of meters beyond its borders, in addition to smart missiles that can hit Hezbollah’s missiles in south Lebanon.
The paper added that in the event of a war with Egypt the Syrians would not be able to use Scud missiles to attack Israel on a second front because the IDF could destroy them on the ground before they have been deployed. Israel’s development of advanced tanks such as the Merkava 5 makes it more than capable of deterring any direct assault across the border. The air arm of the IDF can, notes the newspaper, transport large numbers of combat troops over long distances in the shortest possible time. It stressed that part of Israel’s strategy is to destroy enemy troops and armour before they have left their bases.
Looking at the statistics of the Egyptian armed forces, Israel Today reports that the army has 600,000 men in service at any one time, with 1 million reservists, 3,980 combat tanks and 2,760 artillery pieces. Egypt has also recently taken delivery of 20 F-18 fighter aircraft. The backbone of the Egyptian air force is made up of 220 Falcon F-16 fighters based at 17 airfields out of a total of 86 air force bases around the country. In addition, it has 40 advanced Mirage 2000 jets, 32 F-4 Phantom IIs, Mirage 5, C130 Hercules and 10 early-warning and control aircraft. The government in Cairo is looking to buy replacements for its aging MIG-21s and F-4s. America is keen to maintain Israel’s military edge in the region, claims Israel Today. That is why Washington has rejected Egyptian requests for F-15 interceptor aircraft. Egypt is, therefore, turning to Russia to buy SU-35s and MIG-29s.
March 27th, 2013, 4:09 pm
Uzair8 said:
Shaykh Habib Umar of Yemen statement. An influencial yemeni scholar, descendant of the Prophet (Salllalhu Alaihi Wa Salam) and 33rd in a previous list of 500 influential muslims.
I remember earlier in the uprisings he advised us to distance ourselves from them based on Islamic prophecy (See video or youtube description here).
A statement the day after Shaykh Ramadan al Buti was assassinated:
March 27th, 2013, 4:09 pm
Mina said:
AP
Usually when you write on Qifa nabki you use a bit of logic… Libya isolated? with thousands of kilometers of borders that are already used to destabilize Egypt, Niger, Mali and Tunisia and Algeria?
Syria will not be like Irak? sure, it is already. Your only interest is to see more mess develop and take a few kilometers (preferably with water) with the excuse of creating buffer zones for Israel’s security and see states be created on religious basis to find a legitimization of the current ulta right mad dream.
March 27th, 2013, 4:11 pm
Marigoldran said:
More weapons, support, and recognition for the rebels. The war continues.
Assad asks for help from BRIC. Won’t get any. They have absolutely no reason to support him.
March 27th, 2013, 4:32 pm
zoo said:
Is Al Khatib playing naive and childish just to hide a brilliant strategist, or he is just naive and childish ?
Syria rebel leader Al Khatib in an odd limbo
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syria-rebel-leader-al-khatib-in-an-odd-limbo#page1
He remains in an odd limbo – the boss, despite having quit on Sunday – amid bizarre squabbling about whether he is actually allowed to resign.
It is a suitably confusing denouement to a baffling few days in the history of Syrian opposition politics, which at the best of times can seem farcical.
Underneath the absurdity of it all are profound and bitter divisions that plague those trying to topple the regime of Bashar Al Assad
…
There seems little doubt his decision to quit, and the chaos that ensued, has in the short term bolstered the reputation of Syria’s political opposition as woefully incompetent and self-obsessed, rather than potential leaders of the future focused on the well-being of their blighted nation.
Even among Mr Al Khatib’s more fervent disciples there is anger and dismay over his resignation and its timing.
…
Yet the contours of a possible strategy might be forming, one that indicates Mr Al Khatib is developing the kind of sharp political acumen needed to survive the deceitful and dangerous world of revolutionary politics.
….
It is possible his resignation was a way of Mr Al Khatib calling the ‘Old Guard’s’ bluff – a way of telling them “back me or sack me” – a gamble based on the calculation they need him, and the power of the street activists, more than he needs them.
Syrian opposition politics – so often a triumph of narrow-minded self-interest over sound logic – are complex and hard to fathom. But, if Mr Al Khatib was risking a bold move to break a damaging logjam, it may yet come off.
If it does he will have won himself a stronger mandate to push through with his plans and lead a more united and broader-based opposition.
If, however, it fails, that opposition seems set to continue its ugly bickering, as more blood spills in Syrian streets.
March 27th, 2013, 4:32 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace
” Whatever the US does, it will be criticized and villified.”
We got nothing from Russia,we are in USA because we love it here,few of us want to go back,we were ready to befriend USA had USA helped us, Russia has no future in Syria,You can not deny that, who will be our friend? USA and Europe.
“. The effort required to “save” Syria in the same way as Libya is very different”
To the contrary anti aircraft missles is all what we need,nothing else is needed,the cost of the missils will be paid in full, we don’t need junk simple weapons,our booties of Assad thugs are plenty.
” BTW, most US Jews were AGAINST the war in Iraq.”
none of the pro israel jews I know agree with this statement
“Convince me why the USA should help Syria.’
very simple, whoever owns Syria in the future will own the middle East, I explained that before, wouldn’t USA like to have strong friend in the middle East?
March 27th, 2013, 4:45 pm
Citizen said:
?an send a little bit of metal pipes and all your ?unto?raty will shut up!
March 27th, 2013, 4:48 pm
revenire said:
LOL
March 27th, 2013, 5:12 pm
revenire said:
BRICS already is supporting Syria – read the news and read their statement. They are fully behind Syria’s position.
March 27th, 2013, 5:14 pm
revenire said:
Lies by the Opposition:
1) “The regime is using Hezbollah and Iranian soldiers.” That is a blatant lie that they use to justify their use of foreign insurgents.
2) “The Syrian Arab Army is purposely killing civilians.” What are you smoking? Why would an Army comprised of every religious denomination in Syria purposely kill its own people; they are protecting the people from Jihadists in your organization. Also, the FSA uses civilians as shields against the military. Not to mention, it was an Opposition group who used chemical weapons and suicide bombed a mosque.
3) “Assad is losing support and near the end of his reign.” I had no idea this was happening. Then again, if I watched Al-Jazeera, I would believe it. He is very safe and in control.
4) “We want minorities to join our cause.” Really? Then why are your insurgents killing them? Why is every male in support of the regime Shabeeha? Why is every Alawi a kafir? Why so quiet? The support you are looking for does not exist. Minorities do not want Assad to leave so a religious political party can take over.
5) Major victories: yawn. Taking over an empty airport is nothing special. Claiming you took an arms warehouse is even funnier. These buffoons do not realize that the weapons they take from those warehouses were purposely left there for them. The weapons are dysfunctional. Insurgents enter these warehouse buffets and think they have found treasure. What they really found was RPG’s that will blow up when they try to fire it…
6) “The regime is killing Sunnis.” That is ludicrous. The majority of the army is Sunni. Al-Freijj is Sunni. Asma al-Assad is Sunni, so is Maher al-Assad’s wife. Stop your sectarian lies.
7) “The regime fired on civilians during protests.”This is confusing because there have been protests before the Arab Spring. The government never fired on them. Eyewitnesses in Dara’a specifically stated that they saw civilians with guns firing on the police. In fact, there were more police casualties than protesters. Hmmm… Are you sure these were non-violent? But, of course, we are the liars.
8) “We are not receiving money, weapons, or aid from abroad.” Two weeks later, “Yes we are receiving support from the West and money from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.” No comment.
9) “We want democratic elections.” …………it seems most of your soldiers want Sharia. Are you sure? Are you sure they do not hate Shiites? Are you sure they do not want to exclude religious minorities? I mean, they do not even listen to George Sabra, a Christian, with no real authority.
10) “This revolution is unique.” Oh, so you’re not reusing Libyan insurgents? What makes this revolution different than the other countries? Islamists want to gain power. This is my favorite.
-Leith
https://www.facebook.com/SyrianPerspective?ref=stream
March 27th, 2013, 5:15 pm
Citizen said:
World Warior collections from all colors : Jihadists from over 30 countries fight in Syria (PHOTOS)
http://worldmathaba.net/items/2385-world-war-jihadists-from-over-30-countries-fight-in-syria-photos
Tamimi ! Have you some relatives in ?
March 27th, 2013, 5:38 pm
Akbar Palace said:
Mina,
I didn’t realize you knew me from QN. I often can’t contribute there because of my limited knowledge of Lebanese politics.
Syria has a population of 21 million, Libya less than 6. Libyans are located in a few major cities along the coast, Syrians are located further inland and close to the border with Iran and Iraq. Weapons and personnel are pouring into Syria over land and air to prop up Assad by Iran and Hezbollah, this proximity does not exist around the vast empty desert surrounding Libya.
But I’ll ask you the same question I asked every one else: convince me why should the US help Syria?
March 27th, 2013, 5:54 pm
Citizen said:
http://youtu.be/PynKWJFSHuY?t=1m55s
just for Tamimies relaxing!
March 27th, 2013, 5:59 pm
Dominique said:
(RIYADH, Saudi Arabia) — The Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman has warned Saudis fighting in Syria they will be arrested when they return home. Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki says “involvement in the Syrian crisis is against Saudi laws.” Al-Turki said Monday authorities will also crack down on those planning to travel to Syria to….
Say what you want about Saudi Arabia, but it apparently upholds laws.
Why should any American follow any laws? Washington doesn’t. Bankers don’t.
Do whatever you want within the boundaries of your own conscience and religious teachings. Never mind what the neighbors think.
“Any institution which does not suppose the people good, and the magistrate corruptible, is evil.”
–Maximilien Robespierre
When will a similar character pop up in the US (and Europe)?
Hey, did you hear that Niger is next? Having fun yet?
March 27th, 2013, 6:08 pm
Citizen said:
I believe China and Russia are getting ready to draw a line in the Syrian sand.
March 27th, 2013, 6:27 pm
Citizen said:
27/03/2013
In the province of Idleb by military counter-terrorism raid destroyed militant group “Dzhebhat en Nusra”, which consisted of 11 citizens of Libya.
http://anna-news.info/node/10638
March 27th, 2013, 6:36 pm
Uzair8 said:
AJE blog:
About 4 hours ago
A pledge by Syria’s central bank on Sunday to take action to support the pound is already looking hollow, raising speculation the authorities may no longer be willing to burn up reserves defending the currency.
The pound has plunged by nearly a quarter this month against the dollar since rebels seized vast areas of the oil-rich northeast region, prompting more Syrians, fearful of the economic outlook, to convert pounds into foreign currency.
The pound, which is only traded in Syria and neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon and mostly on the black market, hit a record low of 226 to the dollar last Wednesday on the black market and has stayed close to that level this week, local financial sources said on Wednesday.
[Source: Reuters]
March 27th, 2013, 6:40 pm
revenire said:
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior
Follow-up LOGO Number: 71466/J/H
Attachments:
Date: 25/5/1433 H. [April /17/2012 AD]
(Top Secret)
His Excellency General Suood Al-Thnayyan
The Classified [Secret] Office at the Ministry of Interior May Allah protect him
Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings
In reference to the Royal Court telegram No. 112, dated on 04/19/1433 H [March 3, 2012], referring to those held in the Kingdom jails accused with crimes to which Islamic Sharia law of execution by sword [decapitation] applies, we inform you that we are in dialogue with the accused criminals who have been convicted with smuggling drugs, murder, rape, from the following nationalities: 110 Yemenis, 21 Palestinians, 212 Saudis, 96 Sudanese, 254 Syrians, 82 Jordanians, 68 Somalis, 32 Afghanis, 94 Egyptians, 203 Pakistanis, 23 Iraqis, and 44 Kuwaitis.
We have reached an agreement with them that they will be exempted from the death sentence and given a monthly salary to their families and loved ones, who will be prevented from traveling outside Saudi Arabia in return for rehabilitation of the accused and their training in order to send them to Jihad in Syria.
Please accept my greetings.
[Signed]
Director of follow up in Ministry of Interior
Abdullah bin Ali al-Rmezan
CC:
Authority of enforcement of the common good and prevention of forbidden
Copy for general intelligence
Original in Arabic: http://www.aina.org/images/saudiinmatesdecree.jpg
March 27th, 2013, 6:51 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Colonel Ryad Asaad
??? ??? 1961 ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???????
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????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?????
????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? 1979 ????? ????? ????? ??? 1982
… ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????.
???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????
????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ???????? ??????? ? ?????? ??? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? 2/7/2011 ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? 4/7/2011 ??? 29/7/2011 ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????.
????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????????.
??? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ????????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????.
March 27th, 2013, 6:52 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
???? ????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????
???????.??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????
??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????
March 27th, 2013, 7:49 pm
Uzair8 said:
‘News’ laundering
It’s rare for anybody on SC to link to SANA articles anymore. What you do have is links to more-or-less the same story on foreign sites (eg Xinhuanet). Via such sources we end up with ‘clean’ ‘news’.
Btw, I haven’t seen a link to Modern Tokyo Times for some time. Those were the days….
Ann…?
For nostalgia’s sake…?
March 27th, 2013, 7:49 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
107. MAJEDKHALDOUN
“whoever owns Syria in the future will own the middle East, I explained that before, wouldn’t USA like to have strong friend in the middle East?”
Majie, you poor demented fool. Whoever owns Syria will own the Middle East? I don’t think so. Syria is a basket case, a train wreck, a compost heap. Whoever owns Syria will own NOTHING but a flattened, burnt-to-the-ground moonscape and several million traumatized human beings. As for having a “strong friend in the ME,” Syria is no friend and is anything but strong. The USA already has strong friends in the ME, Israel and the KSA.
As for you, Majie, you need to take some time off from this blog and personally apologize to every man, woman and child in the human race for wasting their time….
A New Bashar Cartoon:
http://latuffcartoons.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/gulf-states-logic.gif
March 27th, 2013, 7:50 pm
Akbar Palace said:
We got nothing from Russia,we are in USA because we love it here,few of us want to go back,we were ready to befriend USA had USA helped us, Russia has no future in Syria,You can not deny that, who will be our friend? USA and Europe.
Majedkhaldoun,
I am glad you like it here. I do to. But even though Russia does nothing for the ME, it never gets vilified by the arab street as witnessed on this forum. Same for China. No matter what the US does, it’s wrong.
To the contrary anti aircraft missles is all what we need,nothing else is needed,the cost of the missils will be paid in full, we don’t need junk simple weapons,our booties of Assad thugs are plenty.
You’re right. I think the US has officially allowed AA missiles into the country with their full blessing.
none of the pro israel jews I know agree with this statement
How many pro-Israel US yahudim do you know?? 75% of Jews consistently voted for the democrat/liberal: John Kerry to Al Gore to Barack Obama
You don’t here about it because the anti-Zionist crowd wants to paint a wide brush that every jew is some sort of war monger. We conservative jews believe we should pre-empt dangers around the world if we can’t get international support. If GWB was president, Betho would already be history.
very simple, whoever owns Syria in the future will own the middle East, I explained that before, wouldn’t USA like to have strong friend in the middle East?
I tend to agree. Syria is a central country with a large population. When I used to watch video of the peaceful demonstrations around Syria, many english speakers were saying in the camera that they just wanted basic rights. I felt they wanted what we all take for granted.
You’ve convinced me Majedkhaldoun, now I need about 5 million more names…
March 27th, 2013, 8:12 pm
Darryl said:
“124. AKBAR PALACE said:
You’ve convinced me Majedkhaldoun, now I need about 5 million more names…”
Man if Syria has a cool one tenth like him, there is no hope in hell for Syria. Maybe this is what you are hoping for AP.
March 27th, 2013, 8:28 pm
zoo said:
55,000? 36,000? 70,000, 100,000?
SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
Casualty count proves inexact science, rights group finds
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/article10467644.ece
….
The data sets were sourced from six different Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government, all groups, like Mr. Suleiman’s, with vested interests in the conflict’s outcome.
There is no single best way to count war dead, , said Debarati Guhu-Sapir, director of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters in Belgium.
“Very good statistical techniques exist, but the motivation behind counting the dead should be considered,” she said. “The numbers coming out of Syria are almost all advocacy estimates.”
Mr. Suleiman said the UN is “politicizing” the conflict.
“I had names for over 1,000 people who the UN said are dead but they’re alive. They took the names from other groups that miscounted,” he said.
“Maybe we have over 100,000 dead,” added Mr. Suleiman, “but when you are the UN, a big organization, you have the power to affect change.”
March 27th, 2013, 8:47 pm
Ghufran said:
Joshua was on NPR today, he said that Syria needs its ” incredibly talented” citizens including expats to rebuild after the regime’s fall, I agree , but violence needs to stop first and both sides must accept , not necessarily love, each other for that to happen. Trying to establish a government dominated by the mb will only lead to a long civil war and a defacto partition of syria, a partition that already has many supporters, i am not one of them, that new phase of the war may take a generation to end, that is why we need a cease fire, separation of fighting forces, expulsion of foreign terrorists, then serious negotiations. Frankly speaking I do not see this happening any time soon, hard headed militants in both camps,especially the Islamists, still think they can win by the gun.
Joshua also spoke about a new day for Syria just because the Bedouins in the AL broke the rules , the same way Assad did in 2000, and replaced the regime’s rep at the AL with HBJ’s rep , I am not sure if Joshua literally meant a new day or a good day, I do not think measures that impede negotiations among Syrians are signs of improvement.
March 27th, 2013, 8:49 pm
zoo said:
David Ignatius wishful thinking…
Obama’s pragmatic approach to Mideast
…
Obama is now said to understand the risk that Syria’s sectarian conflict will spread to Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan if the United States doesn’t take stronger action. The White House is eager to work with Brig. Gen. Salim Idriss, the commander of the Free Syrian Army, on training, logistics and other priorities. The administration recognizes that it may need “safe zones,” perhaps protected by air defenses, to train Syrian rebels inside the country rather than in Jordan and Turkey.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-ignatius-obamas-pragmatic-approach-to-mideast/2013/03/27/80d1bbd2-96fe-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_story.html
March 27th, 2013, 8:53 pm
Tara said:
And where is Asma? Lusting over what this time around? A pair of shoes or a handbag?
• Samantha Cameron, the wife of British prime minister David Cameron, has spoken of her horror at the plight of Syrian refugees after visiting a camp in Lebanon. “Innocent childhoods are being smashed to pieces,” said Cameron, who made the visit in her capacity as an ambassador for Save the Children.
March 27th, 2013, 9:00 pm
zoo said:
Ghufran
They all have great ideas and plans for the after-Bashar, but zero ideas about the with-Bashar, something that has a high chance to happen..
Any political solution will ultimately bring Bashar al Assad back.
That’s why the opposition doesn’t want it and prefer a war of attrition even it destroys the whole country. Qatar is ready to pour its money in reconstructing Syria into a new Dubai…
Unfortunately for Syrians dead cannot be revived with Qatar’s money.
March 27th, 2013, 9:00 pm
zoo said:
Who said that there are only 5% jihadists in the FSA?
US Training Rebels in Jordan: Get the Story Straight
http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/US-Training-Rebels-in-Jordan-Get-the-Story-Straight.html
Intelligence from ISA Intel suggests that Salafi jihadists have managed a 30-40% infiltration of the Free Syrian Army.
…
Syria is now a monster that will be impossible to control. The lack of official US consensus about the Jordan “training program” has to do with a very dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy: Syria has been overrun by Al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda in Iraq, which is shuffling commanders back and forth between Iraq and Syria. Its fundraisers are Iraqi, Syrian and … Jordanian, according to ISA Intel. And Al-Nusra doesn’t have its eye only on the Syrian prize (or the Iraqi prize): It’s eyeing the Jordanian monarchy and Lebanon as well. Right now, only Hezbollah is stopping it from gaining a stronger foothold in Lebanon.
The only way out of this mess is probably going to be unfortunate drone strikes on al-Nusra positions in Syria—but only after Assad is taken care of.
March 27th, 2013, 9:06 pm
Tara said:
What is happening with Al Khatib? Is he resigning or not?
I most certainly want him to stay. But he should announce his decision soon.
March 27th, 2013, 9:07 pm
zoo said:
War propaganda or reality? West and some Arab countries are conspiring and preparing for a covert military attack on Damascus
Officials: Weapons supplies to Syrian rebels increase dramatically before a push on Damascus
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 6:42 PM
AMMAN, Jordan — Mideast powers opposed to President Bashar Assad have dramatically stepped up weapons supplies to Syrian rebels in coordination with the U.S. in preparation for a push on the capital of Damascus, officials and Western military experts said Wednesday.
A carefully prepared covert operation is arming rebels, involving Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, with the United States and other Western governments consulting, and all parties hold veto power over where the shipments are directed, according to a senior Arab official whose government is participating. His account was corroborated by a diplomat and two military experts.
The Arab official said the number of arms airlifts has doubled in the past four weeks. He did not provide exact figures on the flights or the size of the cargo. Jordan opened up as a new route for the weapons late last year, amid U.S. worries that arms from Turkey were going to Islamic militants, all four told The Associated Press in separate interviews. Jordan denies helping funnel weapons to the rebels.
The two military experts, who closely follow the traffic, said the weapons include more powerful, Croatian-made anti-tank guns and rockets than the rebels have had before.
The Arab official said there was a “master plan” for the rebels to seize Damascus. He and the diplomat spoke to the AP on condition that their identities and their nationalities not be disclosed because the operation was covert.
March 27th, 2013, 9:13 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Johannes de Silentio
Look at history you will realize who is fool.Syria is the apple that everyone wants.
Israel will do everything to prevent friendship between US and Syria
March 27th, 2013, 9:19 pm
zoo said:
Who voted against the SNC taking Syria’s seat?
Algeria, Iraq, Jordan (?) and Oman voted against.
Mahmoud Abbas voted for, a sign of “gratitude” to Bashar Al Assad for hosting 500,000 Palestinians for decades.
March 27th, 2013, 9:28 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
131. ZOO
“Syria is now a monster impossible to control”
Gosh Zoo, that’s really deep. So I guess Syria is getting to be like Pakistan, stupid and disorganized. Just one big clusterfuck…
Zoo at home:
March 27th, 2013, 9:29 pm
zoo said:
#134 Tara
Al Khatib said he stands on his resignation, but the guy is either a genius or lunatic, so he may change his mind again. Sheikha Moza may be called to convince him to stay and who can resist Moza’s charm?
March 27th, 2013, 9:32 pm
MK/JCNJ said:
Perhaps the State Department should deploy L. Paul Bremer and Frederic C. Hof in country to bring some order into the ranks of the NATO/GCC sponsored militias. Mr. Hof has extensive experience with similiar armed groups as a civil affairs-civic action officer in Vietnam in the 1970’s and as a military attaché in Beirut in the 1980’s. Mr. Bremer has extensive proconsul experience in neighboring Iraq.
March 27th, 2013, 9:32 pm
Tara said:
Zoo,
Qaboos voted no? I am so happy.
I do not want anyone with a name of Qaboos, with a funny headpiece, or who is a Sul-tan to be pro revolution.
March 27th, 2013, 9:50 pm
Tara said:
Zoo,
Al Khatib genius or lunatic. I think neither. He strikes me as a very very sincere and honest man. I would most definitely like him to be an elected president of Syria.. And he looks good too.
March 27th, 2013, 9:54 pm
Akbar Palace said:
“Israel will do everything to prevent friendship between US and Syria”
Majedkhaldoun,
Who said the US can’t be friendly both with Syria AND Israel some day? Right now, Israel doesn’t have to do anything except watch.
March 27th, 2013, 9:59 pm
ann said:
Moza is a transvestite ZOO 😉
Checkout the mentally challenged man sitting next to her 😀
00:56 – 01:00
02:20 – 02:28
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjc1ODQ0MTMy.html
March 27th, 2013, 10:05 pm
Tara said:
Why is the embattled president is begging for help? The solution us clear: Leave!
Syria’s Assad appeals to African summit for help.
Syria’s increasingly isolated president sent a letter calling for help from leaders of five nations at an economic meeting Wednesday in South Africa to help end his country’s civil war.
Read more:
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2020646454_apmlsyria.html?syndication=rss
March 27th, 2013, 10:18 pm
ghufran said:
Jordanian MPs are not happy:
??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ???? “???? ?? ??????? ???????”? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????.
???? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? “?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ?????”.
?????? ???? ?????? ????????? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???????? ? ???????? ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ???? “????? ??? ?????”.
???? ?????? “??? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ???????”? ????? ?? “??????? ???? ??????????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??????????”? ???????? “?? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ????????”.
?? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????????? “?????? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????”.
???? ?????? ???? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????.
??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???????.
?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? “???? ??????” ?? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? “???? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ????????”.
????? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ????? ??”????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????”? ?????? ??? ????? ??? “?????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????”? ????? ??????? ?? “??? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ?????”.
???? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????.
???? “??? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ????????? ???? ???? ????????? ????? ?????? ???????”? ??????? ?? ??????? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? “????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ??????? ??????” .
????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? “???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ??????”
notice how the regime, the islmists and Syria’s “friends” are ignoring this humanitarian disaster that affects 2 million refugees.
March 27th, 2013, 10:47 pm
ghufran said:
There is nothing wrong in posting good news from Syria, this is from SOHR, I hope it is true:
?????? ??? :: ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ,???? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?? ????? ??? ????????
March 27th, 2013, 11:01 pm
apple_mini said:
#133 ZOO, the regime has made strategic disaster along Turkish border.
I doubt they will repeat the same mistake. Besides, establishing supply line from Jordan all the way to Damascus is much challenging compared to Turkish border to Aleppo.
And the major difference is the regime’s military strength in the south.
Anyway, I believe the news is true. I was wondering about the rebels and its backers’ move. The crucial turning point is Jordanian kingdom’s commitment. Since they no longer take neutral stance, there will be consequence and there will be price to pay.
As expected, mighty US can make those beggars and spineless dung beetles to crawl.
I am sure everyone knows about this by now since it is already on news. That includes the regime, Iran, Russia and HB.
Russia or Iran needs to send in some counter-battery radars to SAA to find out where those rebels who constantly fire mortars are hiding.
March 28th, 2013, 12:07 am
apple_mini said:
Homs: Finding a mass graveyard includes 50 bodies of civilians in Baba Amro. Among the bodies, there are girls volunteers of “Syria is our house” campaign.
The rebels crept in Baba Amro and they did not waste their time to find civilians not on their “revolutionary” side and massacred them.
If the news is true, that will only harden our belief: the rebels are even more brutal and barbaric than the regime. If we let them take over Syria, prepare for large scale massacre and genocide. And the diverse and vibrant Syrian culture and traditions will turn into dusts.
I am expecting the MSM will brush off this horrific story. And if they do, they will take spin from the rebels and the opposition that the regime has committed another “atrocity”.
March 28th, 2013, 12:20 am
Juergen said:
In Syrian state tv Mothers day is still an topic. They were following the subject last night why with all the love every mother brings, one child becomes a terrorist and the other not. One expert was sure to know why that happens. She thought by abandon the child at home when the mother decides to work for the families income, this could be the outcome.
Syrian state tv, is always good for a laugh.
Here is a message from a syrian to Asma:
March 28th, 2013, 12:24 am
Dolly Buster said:
Does anyone follow Salah ad-Deen Abu ‘Arafah. I listened to his classes, until I realized he was a Bashar supporter.
http://www.youtube.com/user/IBRAHEM1431/videos?view=0
I was blocked from that channel, when I raised the question Why he appeared on Syrian state TV.
March 28th, 2013, 12:35 am
MarigoldRan said:
The rebels are doing in the south and Daraa what they have already done in the north and Aleppo.
The Jordanians have no choice but to help the rebels win. The logic is simple: the Syrian refugees are a massive burden on their economy. Either the rebels win and the refugees go home, or Jordan will have to pay for the refugees forever.
All of the regime’s policies have been strategic disasters. Driving refugees into the surrounding countries INCREASES their chances of helping the rebels. Also, every refugee family means another recruit or three for the rebels.
March 28th, 2013, 12:48 am
MarigoldRan said:
The regime no longer has the power to back up their grandiose statements. The war continues.
March 28th, 2013, 12:51 am
Juergen said:
Tara
Qaboos is a cynic. He comes to Germany every summer, he owns a palace near Berchtesgarden. In Munich he was often seen on his shopping sprees. Reports suggest that he gave asylum to the remaining parts of the Ghaddafi clan. I would say, watch out for the ego of short men.
Alex Thomson live from Damascus
http://www.channel4.com/news/syrias-descent-live-from-damascus
David Milliband on arming the Syrian opposition
http://www.channel4.com/news/miliband-fears-syria-will-dissolve-in-front-of-our-eyes
an peak into the arsenal of the rebel forces:
http://www.channel4.com/news/syrias-descent-what-weapons-do-the-rebels-have
March 28th, 2013, 12:51 am
Juergen said:
Something so weird, an computer controlled sniper
March 28th, 2013, 12:55 am
Juergen said:
Shimon Peres
“I can think of one thousand reasons why Turkey and Israel should be friends and I cannot find one reason why they shouldn’t be.”
He also talks about Syria.
March 28th, 2013, 2:14 am
Citizen said:
U.S. Army swept the real wave of rapes. According to official statistics, in the year declared three thousand cases ..
March 28th, 2013, 2:53 am
Juergen said:
first picture of the airport in Damascus, reports were made over night that an Iranian cargo plane was targetted by the FSA and it exploded and damaged many other planes after landing.
https://twitter.com/AimanofArabia/status/317165660759273472/photo/1
March 28th, 2013, 3:09 am
Jasmine said:
Juergen @ 153
Keep complaining about Iran,it is the idiocy of the west which brought us to the current state.
Watch this clip please and reach your own conclusion.
March 28th, 2013, 3:54 am
MarigoldRan said:
The regime, in its arrogance, acted idiotically from the start. It started a war that it cannot win. And the Iranians are stupid to be embroiled in the whole mess. The Iranians are spending billions of their money on this war. What are they getting back in return?
The West is of course, always dumb. But in Syria they’ve been less dumb than the regime or Iran.
If the war continues for another 5 years, Iran will be bled white. If the Iranian government wants to spend billions of its money on an un-winnable and never-ending war, then so be it. All the better for Israel and the West.
As I’ve said before: the war continues.
March 28th, 2013, 4:05 am
MarigoldRan said:
Downing of the Iranian plane is on youtube.
March 28th, 2013, 6:24 am
revenire said:
Damascus airport is fine. No planes were downed. It is all propaganda.
March 28th, 2013, 8:03 am
revenire said:
Matter of fact, @AimanofArabia is a liar:
“NMSyria ?@NMSyria 5h
@AimanofArabia This is from UAE in 2010. Fake. @LeRifai”
“Aiman ?@AimanofArabia
@NMSyria the photo is fake, correct? Not the information? Any real pic of the situation?”
Of course, the two prince clowns, Juergen & Marigoldran, acted as if it was real. They got sucked in. LOL
You idiots and your “victories”.
March 28th, 2013, 8:08 am
revenire said:
“Not a spy ?@finriswolf 5h
That Damascus Airport crash picture going around is from UAE crash in 2010.”
Marigoldran you are one of the stupidest people I’ve ever met and you’re PROUD of it.
Downed Iranian plane LOL.
March 28th, 2013, 8:14 am
Tara said:
Assad’s appeal to Brics nations to help tackle the crisis in his country has been dismissed as a sign of desperation by the US. Commenting on the appeal to the bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a state department spokesman said: “What this highlights is the overwhelming isolation of the Assad regime. You see them sort of flailing for any last shred of support they can garner, which is very limited.”
The Guardian
March 28th, 2013, 8:22 am
revenire said:
Juergen any BULL you can post right? You don’t even bother to check it out. You wash-rinse-repeat garbage day after day.
Your little story on the Iranian plane was a complete fabrication, only retold by Al Arabiya (itself a joke of a news source).
Your position is so weak you need lies to bolster it.
March 28th, 2013, 8:46 am
revenire said:
Tara’s emotions once again get the better of rational thought process: the BRICS nations are the majority of the planet. They are the most powerful economic bloc on Earth and the most powerful military alliance. They support Syria.
I am not quite sure how Tara, or the US, sees that as isolation.
March 28th, 2013, 8:48 am
revenire said:
What is a true story is the terrorists Juergen supports hit Damascus University with mortars today killing Sunni students.
Bravo Juergen.
Bringing freedom to the students is a goal of the revolution.
March 28th, 2013, 8:55 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Akbar Palace said
To be very frank with you MajedKhaldoun, the more time I spend on this website, the more I think Obama is correct
I wish you guys in Israel get a president just like the one we have in Syria,and Obama do the same
March 28th, 2013, 9:29 am
Citizen said:
Today at 5:00 am Supreme Armed Forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the unannounced exercises in the Black Sea.
In the exercise will involve 36 ships, 7,000 troops and Air Force planes.
March 28th, 2013, 9:42 am
revenire said:
Congrats Majed your rats succeeded in liberating twelve Sunni students in Damascus of their lives today.
I am sure their families would love to come to Colorado to thank you for bringing their children freedom.
March 28th, 2013, 9:47 am
Citizen said:
So, to you such freedom
In the suburbs of Damascus Dzhobare armed groups ruined ancient synagogue, dating back 2000 years, stolen priceless books and handwritten documents, including the ancient sacred book of the Torah for Jews, stored in Damascus for thousands of years.
The synagogue is located in the street in the center of Merdrese Dzhobara, it came under the control of armed grupppirovok after the seizure of the district. Among the stolen – religious objects, including ancient Jewish candle called “Hanukkah” and other priceless artifacts.
According to legend Dzhobare synagogue was built over a cave in which a fugitive from persecution prophet Elijah. It is believed that it has built Ielisey prophet.
The army operation to free Dzhobara of militants began a month ago, and only after the release of his overwhelming neighborhoods become known crimes teroristov against its people, objects, public and private property, as well as historical values ??stored Syrian people and the government for many years .
March 28th, 2013, 9:48 am
Akbar Palace said:
I wish you guys in Israel get a president just like the one we have in Syria…
Majedkhaldoun,
You have a mean streak!
Not to worry, your days of freedom are around the corner…
March 28th, 2013, 9:49 am
Citizen said:
That’s to you such support from Turkey
Several hundred Syrian refugees deported from Turkey home
Today it was announced that after the camp took place on the eve of Syrian refugees clashes with the Turkish police, in which law enforcement officers were prmenen tear gas, several hundred disgruntled living conditions of the Syrian citizens will be deported to their homeland.
March 28th, 2013, 9:51 am
Citizen said:
brain-f**ked Bernard-Henri Levy: Turning to Syria
Influential French Zionist Bernard mother f**ker Henri Levy, who played a key role in NATO’s intervention in Libya, is now hoping to repeat the same scenario in Syria.
Ugly face
God curse him
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/bernard-henri-levy-turning-syria?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AlAkhbarEnglish+%28Al+Akhbar+English%29
March 28th, 2013, 10:04 am
Syrialover said:
Interesting, interesting. Analysis of the forces fracturing the Syrian Opposition and whether shake-ups in the Opposition leadership – amid in-fighting in the Gulf – has created a vacuum the US might fill.
Article: The Syrian Gulf War
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentaryanalysis/the-syrian-gulf-war
EXCERPT (but worth reading in full):
Indeed, whatever happened prior to the summit to coax Khatib into effectively un-resigning, the figure he cut yesterday was impressive and statesmanlike. It also revealed the true intent behind his much-scrutinized offer to negotiate with the regime – his first declaration of independence from the Coalition. As liberal dissident Ammar Abdulhamid noted at the time, this was never designed to replace the military dimension of the revolution but only complement it with a knight’s move of forcing Assad and his Iranian and Russian backers to reject their own oft-cited desire for dialogue. “Do you really want to talk?” was a question to which Khatib already knew the answer.
His call yesterday for NATO to use its Patriot missile batteries to enforce a no-fly zone over northern Syria – not merely protect Turkey from aerial encroachments – also demonstrates that he is still prepared to embarrass United States for failing to intervene militarily in Syria. Too many ‘red lines’, he had said a week ago in announcing his resignation, have already been crossed.
For the casual observer, the Syrian opposition has been, for close to two years, an overlong Monty Python joke of self-cannibalization, petty revolutionary factionalism, and outsize egos all vying for a post-revolutionary role. There is of course truth in this assessment. However, the underlying tension that has led to such rampant dysfunction is a running geopolitical feud between opposition’s two main sponsors: Qatar and Saudi Arabia. And that feud has had the most deleterious effect on the Syrian rebels’ military capability.
Here, both Gulf states have acted as divorcees, each trying to out-spoil their common child in exchange for professions of his absolute loyalty. The inevitable result has been an opportunistic offspring that, in its adolescence, has tried to have it both ways or ‘acted out’ in frustration. Only in reaching psychological maturity do these tendencies stand a chance of being overridden.
In yet another groundbreaking report put out by the Institute of the Study of War, analyst Elizabeth O’Bagy identifies the central dilemma for the rebels as a competition between khaleeji patron-states and the “disparate sources of funding” that have gone into the Free Syrian Army. Sycophancy, rivalry, warlord-ism, and corruption are the byproducts of this competition, byproducts that have acted as hindrances to a once-and-for-all hierarchical structure with clear command and control capability.
March 28th, 2013, 10:09 am
Akbar Palace said:
Voting is allowed in Cyberspace NewZ
Influential French Zionist Bernard-Henri Levy, who played a key role in NATO’s intervention in Libya, is now hoping to repeat the same scenario in Syria.
Hey,
Let’s do something here that they can’t do in Syria. Let’s take a vote!
How many people here think Bernard-Henri Levy’s idea is “good idea” or “bad idea”. I’ll start.
1 – for “good idea”…
March 28th, 2013, 10:20 am
revenire said:
The terrorist supporters here can search Twitter for photos of the university attack today. There are lots of nice ones showing blood and body parts all over. So far, 12 students are dead.
Killing 85 year old Sunni clerics.
Bombing schools.
Targeted killings of Christians.
Bombing Shia mosques.
Kidnappings for ransom.
Sexual slavery of Syrian women to satisfy jidahis.
Using child soldiers.
These are but a few of the crimes that Al-Khatib’s masters made possible (will Moaz condemn the murder of Sunni students today?).
Bravo.
Long live the Syrian revolution.
March 28th, 2013, 10:28 am
Syrialover said:
MAJEDKHALDOUN #84 said: “The argument is the double standard US is doing… US paticipated in Libya ,pretext was to save Bengazi,they continued the war till Gaddafi was killed,Libya has oil”
As I have pointed out here a few times, this is not a good comparison with the Syrian situation. The west (UK, France, Germany, US etc) had a huge list of historical scores to settle with Gaddafi, which many contemporary journalists and commentators have either forgotten or were pre-literate toddlers at the time.
They became hostile to him in response to various Libyan-sponsored terrorist attacks on their own soil. Plus Gaddafi was engaged in serious mischief for decades in Africa, facilitating coups, insurgencies and assassinations.
The US launched a number of air strikes on Libya in the mid-1980s in an attempt to kill Gaddafi, hitting his home but not succeeding.
So the world had been waiting for years for a signal from the Libyan people as an excuse to go in and finish him off.
A secondary issue is that Gaddafi-controlled Libya presented a neat and manageable target as it involved relatively small population centers along the coastline, with an almost-empty hinterland.
March 28th, 2013, 10:35 am
revenire said:
Scenes from the College of Architecture today.
No comment.
March 28th, 2013, 10:46 am
AIG said:
Which inept government does not have an early warning system for mortars? The Assad one of course. It expects to bomb areas that it doesn’t control with impunity while not expecting to be bombed itself. How dumb can you be?
Bombing universities or residential areas is idiotic and immoral, but if you do it, you should be ready to receive the same in kind. It is the pinnacle of hypocrisy to hold your enemies to higher standards than you.
March 28th, 2013, 11:00 am
ghufran said:
the shelling of Damascus leaves little doubt about who the rebels are and what they are up to, rebels are punishing Damascus and are trying to make it another aleppo.
March 28th, 2013, 11:03 am
Syrialover said:
REVENIRE’S painstakingly compiled lists of alleged misdeeds by the rebels are very, very short compared with the thousands of pages of criminal actions by the Assad regime on public record.
If REVENIRE slogged on posting lists around the clock for the rest of his career he’d never even start to close the gap.
AIG
You put it well when you said of Bashar Assad: “… in the name of serving Iranian interests wrecked his own country, and in fact is an Iranian puppet”
March 28th, 2013, 11:07 am
ghufran said:
??? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? 1994 ? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? 15 ???? ?????? ????? “?????? ???????? ???????” ???? ??? “????” ???? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? “???? ???????” ???? ????? ??? ??????? ? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????????? ?????????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ? ??? ????? ?????? “???? ???????” ???????? ???? ?? “????? ????” ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ? ????? ?? ???? ?????????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? .
no words from either the regime or the rebels yet
March 28th, 2013, 11:08 am
AIG said:
Ghufran,
“the shelling of Damascus leaves little doubt about who the rebels are and what they are up to”
That is a stark generalization. The evidence is clear that there is no central control of rebel groups and that each group is mostly independent. Pinning this incident on ALL rebels is just plain wrong. The fault is of the specific local group that fired the mortars and not ALL the rebels.
March 28th, 2013, 11:11 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
???? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ????
??????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ????????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????????
??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????
???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???????
???????
??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? :????? ???? ????? ????? ??????
???? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ????????? ?????
??????: ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???
?? ?????? ?? ?????
March 28th, 2013, 11:15 am
Akbar Palace said:
… hold your enemies to higher standards than you.
AIG,
You just recited the “Resistance Motto”.
You are now the winner of the coveted “Norman G. Finkelstein/Noam Chomsky Courage Award”.
Notice all those articles…none, of course, critical of arab despots like Saddam, Colonel Sunglasses, or Batta…
http://normanfinkelstein.com/
http://www.chomsky.info/articles.htm
March 28th, 2013, 11:18 am
ghufran said:
an angry response to how the news about terrorist shelling of Damascus Univ were presented:
????? : ???? ????
??????? : ???????
??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????
March 28th, 2013, 11:22 am
zoo said:
Juergen
Any funny cartoon about the bombing of the Damascus University?
March 28th, 2013, 11:25 am
revenire said:
I wonder if the brave heroes of Kafranbel can make a nice poster for us about the bombing.
…
Rector of the University of Damascus, Mohammad Amer al-Mardini, as saying that 10 students were martyred and 29 others were injured by the shell, two of them are in critical condition.
“No one, in any position in the world, can imagine there is a an act more criminal than this one,” added al-Mardini, noting that “If the aim behind this criminal act was to close the University of Damascus, with its history and deep-rootedness, then we stress that it won’t shut down in defiance of the enemies.”
http://sana.sy/eng/337/2013/03/28/474887.htm
March 28th, 2013, 11:31 am
zoo said:
#182 Syria lover
What a stupid excuse : Yes, the rebels are monstruous, but the regime is worse.
That’s the kind of consolation the anti-regime have to offer. Pathetic.
March 28th, 2013, 11:32 am
Sami said:
As despicable as the mortar attacks are (and they are extremely so) the reaction from regime supporters is filled with nothing but vile hypocrisy.
They celebrate the “clean up and disinfection”, they cheer the SCUD’s that get rid of whole neighbourhoods, they turn a blind eye to the cluster bombs, they deny the barrel bombs, and most callously argue away massacres. Yet mortars fired by a bunch of rebels from an area that has been continuously bombarded with all the arsenal short of Chemical warfare, where the site of the largest massacre committed in Syria’s revolution, an area that has been “proclaimed” cleared by regimists and State media numerous times is outrageous to them…
Your moral relativism is sickening! You and your vile hypocrisy is what is really pathetic.
March 28th, 2013, 11:39 am
AIG said:
“Yes, the rebels are monstruous, but the regime is worse.”
Wait, isn’t the excuse you have been using all the time is that the Islamists are worse than Assad? What a vile hypocrite.
March 28th, 2013, 11:48 am
ghufran said:
prisoners exchanges are not advertised but they provide hope in what looks like a hopeless situation:
????? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? 12 ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? 12 ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? 20 ???? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? 3 ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? 3 ??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ????
????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????
source: SOHR
March 28th, 2013, 12:04 pm
ghufran said:
This is from Saleh Al-Qallab (a harsh critic of the regime):
??? «????? ?????» ????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??«??????»? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? «????? ???» ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????.
???? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ??«????????» ????????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????????? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????.
???????? ??? ??? «????? ?????»? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? «???? ???????» ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ?????????.
??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????? – ??? ???? – ?? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????:
????: ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????.
?????: ???? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???????? ??? ????? ?????.
?????: ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ????????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ???? ??? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????.
?????: ???? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ????????? ????? ???????? ????????? ????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ????? ??????.. ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????.. ???? ???? ???????? ????? ??????? ??????.
?? ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? «????? ????? ?????» ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? (????) 2012? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????: ?? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????.
??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? 2013? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? «?????» ?? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????..?!
since most of you claim to be honest and truthful to your principles, we would like to know who thinks the MB can be trusted to rule Syria, and why is that better than a unity government that excludes major regime figures.
March 28th, 2013, 12:55 pm
Ziad said:
The Madness of America’s Arabs
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/madness-america%E2%80%99s-arabs
March 28th, 2013, 2:23 pm
revenire said:
March 28th, 2013, 2:38 pm
Ziad said:
???? “????” ?? ??????? ????????
http://jordanzad.com/print.php?id=115601
March 28th, 2013, 2:39 pm
Citizen said:
Israel is planning to strike both Syria and Lebanon, and sooner rather than later.
Unusually heavy air force activity over Lebanon in recent days is raising suspicions Israel’s preparing for airstrikes to ensure the Jewish state’s security as Islamists advance into southern Syria close to the occupied zone in the Golan Heights.
There are marked increase in the number of aircraft involved, including unmanned spy drones, and their flight patterns over Hezbollah strongholds and suspected missile sites in recent days suggest Israel may be preparing for sizable offensive air operations against Hezbollah or Syria, or both.
http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/11559
I do not agree, with Mr. Minister Walid Muallem Statement that there is no any aggression soon!
March 28th, 2013, 2:40 pm
zoo said:
Refugees from Jordan want to go back home. Are refugees from Turkey deported or willingly returning?
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency says a riot has broken out at a refugee camp for Syrians in Jordan after some of the refugees were told they could not return home.
Ali Bibi, a UNHCR liaison officer in Jordan, says it’s unclear how many refugees were involved in Thursday’s melee at the Zaatari camp. The riot broke out after some Syrians in the camp tried to board buses to go back to their country.
….
He says Jordanian authorities promised to organize the refugees’ return home at another time.
========
(Reuters) – Turkey denied on Thursday it had rounded up and deported hundreds of Syrian refugees following unrest at a border camp, highlighting the strain the exodus from Syria’s civil war is placing on neighboring states.
Witnesses said hundreds of Syrians were bussed to the border after Wednesday’s clashes in which refugees in the Suleymansah camp, near the Turkish town of Akcakale, threw rocks at military police, who fired teargas and water cannon.
The Turkish foreign ministry denied any Syrians had been forcibly expelled, saying around 50-60 people had returned to Syria overnight and that some of them may have been involved in the unrest, but that they left voluntarily.
March 28th, 2013, 2:44 pm
zoo said:
Citizen
If Israel attacks Syria or Lebanon, they will be rendering a very good service to Bashar Al Assad.
The SNC now claiming to represent Syria at the AL will have to condemn the attack and ask the AL to call for a UNSC emergency meeting.
If they don’t they will appear as accomplice to Israel.
If they do, they will get the USA and Israel supporters on their back.
Erdogan will also be trapped.
March 28th, 2013, 2:50 pm
Akbar Palace said:
We Need to Focus on…
Ziad,
Thanks for the link. Editor-in-chief, Ibrahim al-Amin, is another in a long series of whiners. Good to know that at least some people champion the “Palestinian Cause”, since the Palestinians constitute, maybe, 1% of all non-combatant civilian death in the arab world these past 2 years…
Like I said before, Palestinian lives are worth so much more than the lives of other arabs.
March 28th, 2013, 3:01 pm
zoo said:
For those who still feel good in saying that jihadists are only 5%.
The supposed “revolution for freedom” has morphed into a concerted Islamist terrorist war to establish new bases in the Middle east. The West, Qatar and KSA are giving them the necessary help to achieve that
“There are approximately 100,000 rebel fighters in Syria, and as many as half of those may be regarded as jihadists ”
The jihadist groups ‘running the show’ in Syria
http://www.channel4.com/news/syria-rebels-jihadist-nusra-war-assad-free-syria-army
Jihadists are increasingly prominent in the fight against the Syrian government, which has so far claimed over 70,000 lives. Channel 4 News maps the gains made by the most powerful groups.
…
Jihadist rebels appear to be highly strategic. They have targeted airports, air defence bases, ammunition depots, army convoys and communications bases, as well as targeting members of the military leadership for assassination. They have also made targets of army check points and supply chains.
Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham, with assistance from other groups, have already seized five military airports and bases, and besieged another four airports (see map, above).
In the last six months, the jihadist groups have managed to destroy most of the army bases in Rif Damascus, Idlib, Aleppo, Deir al-Zor, al-Hasaka, al-Riqah and Homs.
….
March 28th, 2013, 3:05 pm
Citizen said:
198. ZOO
I do not think in this way! Israel has attacked Jmraiya site !And when we say Israel we mean all the Co. assault in action on Syria and will take this attack momentum loop as the great task in the agression project!
March 28th, 2013, 3:09 pm
zoo said:
The Observatory: The shelling of the Damascus University is a war crime.
http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/%C3%80+La+Une/article/807449/Carnage_a_la_faculte_darchitecture_de_Damas_%3A_15_etudiants_tues_.html
“What we have seen today is a war crime. Use of (shell) mortar must stop immediately. The vast majority of those killed by these projectiles are civilians,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, Director of the SOHR.
“The players should stop taking civilians as targets. Universities of Damascus and Aleppo, the largest educational institutions in the country have been targeted by bloody attacks,” he added. More than 80 students were killed in mid-January in the bombing of the University of Aleppo.
March 28th, 2013, 3:27 pm
zoo said:
After his brilliant successes, Lakhdar Ibrahimi, the UN-AL envoy is to go back to his retirement home
“A big question arises about the mandate of Lakhdar Brahimi, who is a representative of the United Nations and the Arab League on contacts and negotiations between the (Syrian) government and opposition for the purpose of finding a mutually acceptable solution before the Arab League summit,” Lavrov told reporters.
According to Lavrov, Arab League’s recognition of the opposition group as the sole legitimate representative of Syria has already “put an end” to the Geneva agreements.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/29/c_124517009.htm
March 28th, 2013, 3:37 pm
zoo said:
What the media doesn’t say
Damascus International Airport is operational with Egypt Air, Etihad, Austrian and other flights operating normally
March 28th, 2013, 3:55 pm
revenire said:
HNN Homs News Network
https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english?ref=stream
GOD IS GREAT !!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO-CALLED OPPOSITION GUNMEN HAVE OFFERED TO WITHDRAW FROM “AL-RAQQAH” FOLLOWING MEDIATION BY CLAN ELDERS …
THANK YOU GOD ..
HOW MANY LIKES EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! … – J
March 28th, 2013, 4:01 pm
MarigoldRan said:
What comes around, goes around.
The war continues.
EDIT: Oh yeah, retard are retards.
March 28th, 2013, 4:08 pm
AIG said:
Zoo,
You are wrong again. Austrian is not flying to Damascus.
Here is a simple challenge to anyone. Try booking a flight using kayak or travelocity or whatever from Europe to Damascus. There are no flights.
http://www.kayak.com/#/flights/LON,nearby-DAM,nearby/2013-04-01-flexible-calendar-0/2013-05-01-flexible-calendar-6to8
March 28th, 2013, 4:14 pm
zoo said:
Cash-trapped Morsi is turning to Iraq and Libya
Turning to Baghdad, Tripoli
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/67930/Business/Economy/Cashstrapped-Morsi-shifts-Arab-allies-in-search-of.aspx
A total of around $8 billion, according to the same government source, should be coming to state coffers starting in the coming week. A part of this amount is coming from Iraq, upon Iranian recommendation, according to a Cairo-based European source.
….
“Let’s face it, apart from Qatar, none of the Arab Gulf States is willing to generate funds for this regime. I am telling you, they are actually cutting down on their existing investments in Egypt,” said a leading businessman who is in partnership with top Arab Gulf entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, Qatar, according to a well-informed Doha-based source, is not coming forward with much more. “The Qataris are not amused by the negative public and media perception of their assistance to Egypt,” he said.
In March, Qatari Finance Minister Youssef Kamal said his country did not expect to give further financial aid to Egypt “in the immediate term.” According to the Doha-based source, this is not expected to change anytime soon.
…
From the Egyptian perspective, the UAE is an almost self-announced enemy of the Morsi government. Egyptian officials speak of “funds” channelled by Abu Dhabi to the anti-Morsi camp, and of “hidden and conspicuous contacts” between UAE intelligence and some quarters within Egyptian intelligence to “topple the Morsi regime.”
March 28th, 2013, 4:16 pm
revenire said:
March 28th, 2013, 4:17 pm
AIG said:
Egypt Air has suspended all flights to Damascus:
http://agents.egyptair.com/News/Pages/Suspension72a7b4cf-2ab3-4e82-9e3a-a43d6dd58ed7.aspx
Zoo, you are just lying without any shame.
March 28th, 2013, 4:17 pm
revenire said:
Marigoldran what about the Iranian plane you, and your twin ape brother Juergen, claimed was downed? Never happened clown.
You read what I wrote and slunk off to cry for a bit and now come back to say “the war continues” and “what comes around goes around”?
Is there anyone more stupid that Marigoldran? No. He is on the bottom of the evolutionary chain.
March 28th, 2013, 4:19 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
204. ZOOOHYESIMAZOO
“Damascus International Airport is operating normally”
Define “normally.” Oh wait! Zoo is Pakistani. He means “normally” in the sense that it is used in Peshawar.
note: in Peshawar, they say “normal” when the islamists sharpen their swords before they behead you.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/world/asia/explosion-rips-through-mosque-in-peshawar-pakistan.html?_r=0
March 28th, 2013, 4:20 pm
AIG said:
No flights can be booked from Damascus to Abu Dhabi either. Maybe someone can call a travel agent in the Gulf and see if any company flies to Damascus anymore?
March 28th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Marigoldran said:
March 28th, 2013, 4:28 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Glad to see that my comments are having an effect. As I’ve said before: the retard is a troll. The trick is to insult HIM personally.
March 28th, 2013, 4:31 pm
revenire said:
Little boy you can post all the nonsense you like. If you were smart, instead of stupid, you’d have checked your rat friends on Twitter all saying it is a fraud and fake.
You’re the stupidest person here Marigoldran.
March 28th, 2013, 4:31 pm
revenire said:
You and the other idiot Juergen posting about downed planes that never even flew.
March 28th, 2013, 4:32 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Did your mother beat you over the head once too many times? When exactly did you start trusting Twitter comments? Especially of those from the other side?
Are you trying to use sources that you have already publicly discounted?
For god’s sakes, if you’re going to troll, at least try to be consistent.
March 28th, 2013, 4:34 pm
revenire said:
You’re the biggest idiot here Marigoldran, bar none.
March 28th, 2013, 4:37 pm
zoo said:
American who fought with Al Qaeda against Syria’s Assad arrested in Virginia
Published March 28, 2013
FoxNews.com
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/28/american-who-fought-with-al-qaeda-against-syria-assad-arrested-in-virginia/#ixzz2Orw5rWuu
March 28th, 2013, 4:37 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Once again, I’m glad to see I’ve had an effect. As I’ve said before, the most effective method against a retard like you is to insult you personally.
March 28th, 2013, 4:39 pm
revenire said:
Good news Zoo. Some said the army had killed him but that bastard is now sitting in jail.
The FBI should sweep this site and pick up a few rotten apples.
March 28th, 2013, 4:39 pm
revenire said:
Marigoldran yeah you’re trolling me by being the idiot you are with your fake victories of Iranian planes that never existed. I am really getting it from you. Please stop. I am crying.
March 28th, 2013, 4:40 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Then cry some more retard. You deserve it.
March 28th, 2013, 4:41 pm
Uzair8 said:
DEPOSING THE RULER WHEN HE BREACHES THE INTERESTS OF MUSLIMS
Posted 20 hrs ago
***** ***** *****
Some students asked the question regarding the ‘permissibility of deposing the ruler when he breaches the interests of Muslims’.
We present here the response from our Grand Shaykh, The Shaykhul Islam, al-Qutb ar-Rabbani, The Ocean of Shari`ah, Tariqah and Haqiqah – as-Sayyid al-Shareef, his eminence Shaykh Muhammad Abul Huda al-Yaqoubi al-Idrisi al-Hasani [hafizahu Allah wa qaddasallahu sirrahu]
***** ***** *****
Al-Imam al-Sharif al-Jurjani says, commenting on the statement of Al-Iji, “It is upon the Ummah to oust the leader”:
“It is upon the Ummah to oust and depose the leader when a factor necessitating this transpires. Such as the emergence of something from him which disrupts the affairs of the Muslim or relapses matters of the religion. [Deposing and removing him] is upon the Ummah exactly as the initial selection and appointment of the leader for governance was upon them. If his removal will cause discord then the lesser of the two inflictions will be borne,”
[Sharh Al-Mawaqif, 8:353, Matba’h Al-Sa’adah, 1325, Egypt].
We cited this excerpt solely to counter the claim that there is consensus on the impermissibility of rebelling against the leader or deposing him even if he tyrannizes.
Note the reasoning of Imam Al-Jurjani:
“A factor necessitating this… such as the emergence of something from him which disrupts the affairs of the Muslims or relapses matters of the religion…” – for this is the foremost purpose of leadership.
It is noteworthy how Imam al-Jurjani also makes it ‘necessary’ to remove the leader in the said circumstances by stating, “a factor necessitating this…” Additionally, see how he leaves the final verdict dependent on removing whatever is the greater infliction.
Considering this principle of bearing the lesser infliction, the Ulama in the seventies legislated that it is not permissible to rebel, in their era, against the leader Hafiz Al-Assad for the masses were not supportive.
We, however, in our times legislate unanimously with the majority of scholars from the Levant that it is incumbent to rebel, with support from the people, against the leader and oust him.
I do not think anyone will argue about the necessity of ousting the president of Syria since he has gravely faulted in both matters of religion and worldly affairs. Innocent blood has been spilled, women raped, prisoners tortured, wealth usurped, blasphemy publicized and Haram made halal. Thus his remaining in power is the greatest harm.
March 28th, 2013, 4:44 pm
revenire said:
Oh please, say another plane went down or they lost an air base because out of ALL people an idiot like you would know right? You get news from other idiots.
You say the most asinine things: the war goes on, goes around and comes around and other idiotic cliches. I bet you’ve been locked in a mental hospital more than once because of drug abuse.
No one could be as stupid as you appear to be.
Troll me some more.
March 28th, 2013, 4:45 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Happy to.
You’re retarded. You have no life. And you’re a loser.
This is too easy.
March 28th, 2013, 4:46 pm
revenire said:
Waiting.
When will the Big Troll Victory start. When the Iranian plane goes down? Will you YouTube it? LOL
Still waiting.
Wow, you’re brutal.
🙂
March 28th, 2013, 4:51 pm
Citizen said:
Syrian Conflict: The Price of Defying the West
Haaretz piece reveals Syrian conflict is direct punitive result of Assad defying West, obstructing US-Israeli attack on Iran.
March 28, 2013 (LD) – Haaretz has recently published an exceptionally revealing article, confirming that the Brooking Institution’s “Which Path to Persia?” report – a plan for the undermining and destruction of Iran – had indeed been set in motion, and that the current Syrian conflict is a direct result of Syria and Iran defying the West and disrupting what was to be a coup de grâce delivered to Tehran.
The article is titled, “Assad’s Israeli friend,” appears at first to be a ham-handed attempt to portray Syrian President Bashar Al Assad as somehow allied with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead, it actually reveals that Israel had attempted to execute verbatim, the strategies prescribed in the Brookings Institution’s “Which Path to Persia?” report, where Israel was to lure Syria away from Iran ahead of a US-Israeli strike and subsequent war with Tehran.
Syria obviously did not fall into the trap, and as a result, has been plunged into a destructive, spiteful war of proxy aggression by the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and their regional allies.
The Haaretz piece states specifically:
In moving closer to Assad, Netanyahu had a number of motives. First, he wanted to put some space between Syria and Iran, in the hope that Damascus would stand aside in the event of an Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow.
Second, Israel’s loss of its alliances with Turkey and later with Egypt, compounded by apprehension about a deteriorating security situation in the south, pushed Jerusalem into buying quiet on its northern borders.
The third motive was to weaken Hezbollah, while the fourth was to address concerns that the Syrian rebels were in fact Al-Qaida operatives and that the fall of Assad’s regime would turn Syria into a hostile Islamic state.
Of course, while Haaretz admits that the so-called “Syrian rebels” are in fact vicious Al Qaeda terrorists with no intention of instituting anything resembling “freedom” or “democracy” in Syria, contrary to the West’s own long-peddled narrative, Israel is in fact one of three primary co-conspirators in raising the terrorist army in the first place.
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/
March 28th, 2013, 4:53 pm
revenire said:
I’d love Marigoldran to tell us his news sources. Maybe in his world Syria has lost the war and the army is just an Alawite militia? Forget the fact the army is majority Sunni. Marigoldran says it isn’t. He says each bomb makes new terrorists but he doesn’t say the same thing when the rats bomb Sunni students in Damascus. His logic is messy but so what? He is trolling me. Help, I can’t take this abuse from an idiot who believes Iranian planes that never existed were shot down.
March 28th, 2013, 4:53 pm
revenire said:
Waiting or has it happened already? I will go make some popcorn and wait for the Big Trolling Attack on Damascus.
March 28th, 2013, 4:55 pm
MarigoldRan said:
The video makes it pretty clear as to what happened. You can watch it, or not. Up to you.
March 28th, 2013, 4:56 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
From the EU/Salafist/al Qaeda/Jew/CIA/KSA Press:
“Syrian rebels claimed Thursday they downed an Iranian plane that was landing at Damascus Airport and suspected of carrying weapons and ammunition for the Syrian government. The Iranian plane was hit Wednesday by the rebels’ anti-aircraft weaponry, crashed at the airport and exploded, causing a fire at the main terminal, opposition activists said. Video released by opposition activists showed a large airliner flying before it appeared to be struck with a fireball. Syrian state media denied the report and instead insisted the airport was operating normally and flights were arriving and departing on schedule.”
Of course, the Bashar Bootlickers on SC (I’m talking about ZooZoo and his boyfriends) parrot the state media. That makes Zoo a pom-pom girl for the Assads.
Zoo the pom pom girl:
http://coquelicot69.c.o.pic.centerblog.net/b09c633f.jpg
March 28th, 2013, 4:57 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Well, there you have it. Thank you Johannes.
March 28th, 2013, 4:58 pm
revenire said:
Marigoldran and Johannes are the two biggest idiots on SC.
Gee, tell me the source of that report? Most media don’t have it and funny that even opposition media doesn’t. Al Jazeera doesn’t. The ones that did are the Saudis.
Come on. Source that Johannes.
March 28th, 2013, 5:04 pm
MarigoldRan said:
That’s a pathetic attack.
How often do you source things retard?
What comes around, goes around.
March 28th, 2013, 5:05 pm
Citizen said:
Britain’s Ministry of Internal Affairs: Syrian fighters come to the EU to organize terrorist attacks
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2F3mv.ru%2Fpubl%2Fmvd_britanii_siriijskie_boeviki_priedut_v_es_ustraivat_terakty%2F1-1-0-15244
March 28th, 2013, 5:06 pm
zoo said:
Arrivals Pfuitt!
EGYPT AIR MS722 Mar 28 2013 17:55 Damascus
http://www.cairo-airport.com/flight_arrival_result.asp
March 28th, 2013, 5:07 pm
revenire said:
Here is one of the photos idiots like Marigoldran and Johannes use to say an Iranian plane was downed:
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562274_425905160836503_1603089223_n.jpg
Yeah that really looks like it.
LOL
March 28th, 2013, 5:07 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Regime supporters can claim what they want. It’s not as if anyone else trusts their sources or their lies.
March 28th, 2013, 5:07 pm
revenire said:
Hasbara rat proven to be an inept liar by Zoo.
March 28th, 2013, 5:08 pm
revenire said:
Marigoldran you could not prove an Iranian jet was downed if your life depended on it. You’re just some creepy kid with nothing better to do.
March 28th, 2013, 5:09 pm
zoo said:
#237 Revenire
Why waste you time on slimy apes embryos?
March 28th, 2013, 5:11 pm
revenire said:
AIG bookmark this for the next time Zoo makes an idiot out of you:
http://www.cairo-airport.com/flight_arrival_result.asp
Guess the “chosen people” at SC are like their cowardly “chosen army” beaten by Hezbollah twice.
March 28th, 2013, 5:11 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Retard,
If you’re going to insult someone, at least try to think of something original. Don’t just regurgitate back all the insults that YOU received from me. It’s not effective because:
1. I’ve heard them all before.
2. You’re proving my point that you have tapioca pudding for brains and have the creativity of a mud puddle.
3. You’re also proving my point that it’s having an effect on you.
In the meantime, I do have something better to do. Enjoy wasting the next 10 hours of your pathetic life on the comments section of a blog.
March 28th, 2013, 5:14 pm
revenire said:
Not one legit news agency on the entire planet reported an Iranian plane being downed because no such thing happened.
Juergen slunk off early when he saw he was wrong. This other idiot comes back to give us the 1000th “war goes on” crap like anyone cares.
March 28th, 2013, 5:14 pm
Citizen said:
American who fought with Al Qaeda against Syria’s Assad arrested in Virginia
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/28/american-who-fought-with-al-qaeda-against-syria-assad-arrested-in-virginia/
March 28th, 2013, 5:17 pm
revenire said:
Mayhe Marigoldran and Juergen and Johannes can join the other idiot Harroun:
WASHINGTON — Eric Harroun, a 30-year-old former U.S. soldier, has been charged by federal authorities in Virginia with conspiring to use a rocket propelled grenade while fighting with the al-Nusrah Front in Syria. Harroun has posted YouTube videos and Facebook posts that showed him working alongside the group, which is commonly referred to as “al Qaeda in Iraq.”
Harroun made his initial appearance in federal court in Alexandria, Va. and will face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Federal authorities said that the terrorist organization he worked with has claimed responsibility for almost 600 terrorist attacks in Syria.
When interviewed by the FBI on Wednesday, Harroun said he was part of an “RPG Team” and carried three rockets in a backpack along with an AK-47, according to the FBI. Harroun allegedly stated that he hit a tower with a rocket and other members of the team fired rockets that hit Syrian targets.
Foreign Policy reported in a story titled “The Jihadist from Phoenix” that Harroun “doesn’t appear to strictly follow the tenets” of Islam. From the report:
While observant Muslims tend to shun alcohol, Harroun appears to enjoy drinking. A lot.
Alcohol and women came up in the majority of our conversations with Harroun. He stated openly that he drinks beer. While talking to us from what he said was a disco in Turkey, Harroun wrote he was “trying to bang some Turkish girl right now lol.” He then referenced the eighth-century Abbasid ruler Harroun al-Rashid, explaining that he was “a Caliph of Baghdad and a womanizer.” On another occasion he lauded the pleasures of Istanbul as “good beer and nice women.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/eric-harroun-syria_n_2973674.html
March 28th, 2013, 5:20 pm
revenire said:
Hey Juergen Kafranbel was just gassed with barrel bombs – they’re all dead. Heard it on Twitter. You believe me right?
March 28th, 2013, 5:25 pm
Citizen said:
Season winds and fire
http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftopwar.ru%2F26045-sezon-vetrov-i-obstrelov.html
March 28th, 2013, 5:30 pm
AIG said:
Regime idiots, do you even read what you post? There is no status for the Egypt Air flight, which means it hasn’t landed. As you idiots did not see, flights that landed, have LANDED in their status. Where is your proof that that a flight from Damascus has landed?
Furthermore, Zoo claimed more airlines were flying to Damascus including Austrian and Etihad. Well, they are not. As usual you lie.
March 28th, 2013, 5:55 pm
AIG said:
And Zoo, thank you for proving beyond any doubt that you are a low life and a despicable liar. You claimed many times that you do not read my points. Yet, you answered my post on the airport. Nothing you say can be trusted. You lie and lie and lie.
March 28th, 2013, 5:59 pm
Tara said:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/27/the-war-in-syria-through-a-childs-eyes/
The War in Syria Through a Child’s Eyes
This week, Britain’s Channel 4 News broadcast a devastating video report by the German photojournalist Marcel Mettelsiefen on the impact of the war in Syria on the children of Aleppo, the country’s ruined commercial capital. The film, which contains some disturbing images, focuses on the life of a 12-year-old boy named Mohamed Asaf, who spends long days and nights working in a medical clinic that treats residents and rebel fighters.
March 28th, 2013, 6:10 pm
AIG said:
Where are you, regime losers? Are you using the Assad method of not even daring to fire back at Israeli planes?
March 28th, 2013, 6:18 pm
Uzair8 said:
Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi’s Interview with the News Center:
Posted 7 hrs ago
“They are enemies of the country and the Damascene people. They have come for revenge. Soon they will set up artillery on Mount Qasioun to bomb Damascus; we have seen this happen. ..”
These are the words Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi used to sum up the history of the criminals who have been ruling Syria. Then, what led to this according to News Centre is not a shortcoming of the Ulema. It has been peoples’ reluctance in supporting the religion. In a meeting Shaykh Muhammad spoke on Islamic Movements in Syria and their effects on the revolution and the altruistic message they convey.
He explained his view on contemporary Islamic politics and the role of Sufi groups. He spoke of Syria’s future, optimistic of changing the course of history for the coming generations.
[Followed by Q&A on the revolution]
[…]
March 28th, 2013, 7:19 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
Tara next vacation will be in Alraqqa for som Alqaeda immersion :
http://www.syriatruth.org/???????/????????????????/tabid/94/Article/9478/Default.aspx
March 28th, 2013, 7:22 pm
Uzair8 said:
The interview (#255) ended with the following:
========
[…]
We hope for the victory from Allah Almighty and His Divine Grace upon Syria. We can see the promise of victory and have no doubt in it for Syria is the land where our master Isa (peace be upon him) will descend and Syria will not remain in criminal hands.
I have said in a poem I wrote entitled “People of Damascus:”
March 28th, 2013, 7:23 pm
Observer said:
ZOO i tried to book a flight from Vienna to Damascus and from Abu Dhabi to Damascus and from Cairo to Damascus and guess what there are no flights.
If you are lying which is not your usual case then there must be desperation.
I was looking for news on the subject and Sana is silent as well as other regime outlets. In contrast the Arabic Sky news has a video of a plane catching fire as it is landing at the airport.
This is the second such video that I have seen in the last two months.
As for the mortar attack apparently the TV crews were there in a few minutes after the attack. Sounds suspicious.
Does anyone know if there are any military bases near by?
Lavrov is mourning the Geneva accords. The question is what is he proposing in return.
I said before that the conflict is going to be used to bleed Iran and this is happening as we see it now.
Lebanon is a gas heaven and 52 companies are bidding on the prospects of getting the gas up and running.
Russian gas supply to Europe will then diminish and Putin may have an apoplexy attack.
The rest of the Arab monarchies are also fearful of the change sweeping the Middle East. I say the more the merrier. Death to Sykes Picot
March 28th, 2013, 7:44 pm
AIG said:
Observer,
If you haven’t read it, you will like “A Peace to End All Peace” very much.
http://www.amazon.com/Peace-End-All-20th-Anniversary/dp/0805088091/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364515175&sr=1-1&keywords=a+peace+to+end+all+peace
March 28th, 2013, 8:02 pm
Tara said:
Hello Kandi,
Alraqqa immersion is alright but I am longing for Damascus immersion. I do not know how long we will all wait.
I am not really on a vacation. Just signing my “unreal” kids up in a school in Montreal for this summer. They attended once a school in Syria to teach Arabic to foreign speakers. I think that will be off limit now.
Simply put it, the regime kept shooting and torturing peaceful demonstrators while the supporters cheered on so Al Qaeda decided to come and teach the regime a lesson. Therefore I can’t really sympathize with tears that are shed
by the supporters. They brought it on.
March 28th, 2013, 8:10 pm
Uzair8 said:
#258 Observer
Russia is also worried about Cypriot gas coming onstream too. Heard a brief piece on BBC radio 5 a couple of days ago in which a guest talked about this issue. He briefly mentioned Syria and how Cyprus, for Russia, was an important place to view the syrian situation from.
Listen from 3hr 6min 53sec
[Available for a few more days]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rg176
March 28th, 2013, 9:00 pm
apple_mini said:
Let’s talk about US and Russia.
US dismisses Assad’s appeal to Brics nations as desperate when thousands of international Jihadi terrorists are rampant and terrorizing Syria while more Jihadi tourists are ready to cross border from Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.
In the meantime, US is behind every appointment of political structure of the opposition. CIA is coordinating the gang of vicious countries to flood Syria with more deadly weapons to the rebels. CIA is also in charge of training the rebels in Jordan.
Assad has every reasons and rights to ask the world to stop terrorist acts leaded by US. The shame of US and the hypocrite of US. Guess the opposition asking for more weapons, NFZ and Patriot missiles deployment is not a desperate plea as long as they are begging US, NATO or GCC.
President Vladimir Putin ordered large-scale military exercises in the Black Sea on Thursday, projecting Russian power towards Europe and the Middle East in a move that may vex neighbors.
I am pretty sure US and NATO are aware of the red line of Russia. And they do not want to cross it. But the maneuver and encroachment by increasing arming the rebels and providing more political space for the opposition are testing Russia’s patience.
Let us face it. The relationship between US and Russia is not looking good. The reason behind it is the aggression from US. How much the Russia can tolerate US roughing up Syria is something we need to watch closely. Russia is very upset by AL giving seat to the opposition.
Backed by its mighty power, US is constantly approaching others in arrogant and selfish way. The opposition seems to board the right ship. Only time can tell how much the opposition needs to sell the interest of Syria to please their puppet master.
March 28th, 2013, 9:07 pm
revenire said:
Observer you’re crazy.
March 28th, 2013, 9:08 pm
revenire said:
Any American supporters of the Nusra Front here? Seems to me there are. The FBI would love to talk to you.
Former soldier charged with aiding al-Qaeda in Syria
WASHINGTON — A former U.S. soldier was charged Thursday with taking up arms with an al-Qaeda group in attacks against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Eric Harroun, a 30-year-old Phoenix Army veteran, was charged with conspiring to use a rocket-propelled grenade while fighting with the al-Nusrah Front, which has claimed responsibility for nearly 600 attacks in Syria since November 2011, according to federal court documents filed by the Justice Department.
Harroun is charged specifically with conspiring to use a destructive device outside the United States. The charge does not include aiding a terror group, and it makes no distinction against who he allegedly used the weapon.
If convicted, Harroun faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Harroun, who allegedly posted Facebook photographs of his activities in Syria, crossed into that country in January 2013 and “participated in attacks led by the al-Nusrah Front,” the documents state.
The former soldier served in the Army from 2000 to 2003, when he was medically discharged after being injured in a car accident.
After entering Syria, according to court documents, Harroun appeared in two videos chronicling his alleged efforts with rebel forces and his hunt to “kill” Assad.
In one of the videos, dated Jan. 26, the documents state that Harroun “speaks directly to the camera and states: ‘Bashar al-Assad, your days are numbered. … Where you go we will find you and kill you.”’
In Feb. 14 video, Harroun, dressed in military-style clothing, is shown riding in a Jeep, celebrating the downing of a helicopter.
The court documents refer to a March 11 interview Harroun gave to FoxNews.com in which the former soldier “acknowledged” that he had been fighting with Syrian rebels and the al-Nusrah Front but had since returned to Turkey.
Later, in a series of interviews with the FBI at the U.S. Consulate in Instanbul, Harroun allegedly stated that he had traveled to Turkey in November 2012 in preparation for his entry to Syria. Within three days of his January arrival in A’zaz, Syria, Harroun allegedly told federal agents that he had joined with the Free Syrian Army and the al-Nusrah Front in an attack on a Syrian Army encampment.
After initially being treated as a “prisoner” at a al-Nusrah Front camp following the attack, Harroun allegedly told agents that he was “accepted” by the group and his weapons were returned.
In his interviews with the FBI, Harroun allegedly said that he fought with al-Nusrah for 25 days, engaging in seven to 10 battles in which he was assigned to an “RPG (rocket-propelled-grenade) team.”
In a third interview with agents, after returning to the United States on Wednesday, Harroun allegedly acknowledged launching the rockets against regime forces.
“On at least one occasion,” the documents state, “he hit a tower with a rocket.”
Harroun was arrested Wednesday, shortly after he was questioned by FBI agents. His court-appointed attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday in Alexandria, Va.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/03/28/harroun-al-qaeda-syria-soldier/2029333/
March 28th, 2013, 9:14 pm
Uzair8 said:
‘The Syrian TV reporter in Aleppo announced that president Assad ordered the army to open the road from Aleppo airport to the city in one week.’
Source?
March 28th, 2013, 9:30 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
255. UZAIR8
“Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi explained his view on contemporary Islamic politics and Syria’s future, optimistic of changing the course of history for the coming generations”
Syria’s future. Hmmmm. Syria’s immediate future will be:
(1) disunion with as many mini-states as there are Syrian warlords
(2) a burnt-to-the-crisp landscape with every building toppled
(3) millions of Syrians traumatized by war and violence.
And Syrians have no one to blame but themselves. They did it to themselves. They are still doing it to themselves. They have no right to call themselves a country.
March 28th, 2013, 9:46 pm
Uzair8 said:
266. JDS
Yes. It may get worse before it gets better.
However, I’m cautiously optimistic this crisis may not go all the way, to the last man. I’m expecting intervention.
March 28th, 2013, 9:58 pm
Uzair8 said:
Test
March 28th, 2013, 10:03 pm
zoo said:
Another unexpected blow to the opposition: France backs off providing weapons
Amid worries about Syrian opposition, French president warns it’s too early to arm rebels
By The Associated Press March 28, 2013 8:11 PM
http://www.canada.com/news/Amid+worries+about+Syrian+opposition+French+president+warns+early/8166508/story.html
PARIS – France’s president is backing off a push to arm Syrian rebels amid turmoil within Syria’s opposition and concerns the weapons could fall into extremist hands.
France has been pressuring European Union partners to lift an arms embargo against Syria to be able to provide the rebels with firepower against President Bashar Assad’s military.
But French President Francois Hollande said Thursday night the country won’t deliver weapons until there is “certainty that these arms will be used by legitimate opposition members, and cut off from all terrorist influence.”
He continued, “for now, we don’t have that.”
March 28th, 2013, 10:26 pm
zoo said:
Observer
Sure, I am lying, so is your travel agent and the Cairo Airport Arrival website that I have posted.
March 28th, 2013, 10:35 pm
Dolly Buster said:
Man I hope Damascus falls in spring. It is a pleasant time of the year.
The Brics is not the world. BRICS consists of: 2 dictatorships (China and Russia), a democracy (India), a country that stages largest Gay Pride events on earth (Brazil), and a country in which most people have HIV (South Africa).
One is at a loss for words in how to describe this company.
I think 22 Arab countries know better about Arab issues, than Laugh-rov and other failed commies.
Russia should be careful when staging these acts of aggression, they are headed for a 0-2 record in Cold Wars.
March 28th, 2013, 10:41 pm
Ghufran said:
You can go and fight in Syria but do not come back:
Washington (CNN) – A former U.S. soldier has been arrested and charged with illegally using a weapon on behalf of an al Qaeda-affiliated group in Syria.
Eric Harroun, 30, of Phoenix was arrested Tuesday night by the FBI at a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. A Justice Department official tells CNN that FBI agents questioned Harroun at the hotel, then took him into custody.
Harroun appeared Thursday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, and was charged in connection with his alleged use of a rocket-propelled grenade in Syria.
March 28th, 2013, 10:45 pm
Dolly Buster said:
Complete misrepresentation. Russia is giving Fighter Jets and Tanks to a minority in Syria. Obama is giving much lesser support to the majority in Syria. Thus, only the Russian position can be described as aggression.
We are used to this from Russia: they never produce anything useful, and only export threats and totalitarianism.
March 28th, 2013, 10:56 pm
ann said:
‘He who lives by the sword dies by the sword’
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=027_1364521464
March 28th, 2013, 11:02 pm
ann said:
Syria’s women/girls refugees fear kidnapping, rape and sham marriage at Jordan refugee camp.
Instead of helping them, those women and girls are been sexual harassed, used and treated lower than animals by filthy animals from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
No security, no facilities and no safety is given what so ever.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=903_1364512990
March 28th, 2013, 11:10 pm
revenire said:
Dolly the only Arab country is Syria.
March 28th, 2013, 11:15 pm
ann said:
West Caught Running Al-Qaeda – Mar. 21, 2013
March 28th, 2013, 11:27 pm
Ziad said:
ABC interview with Robert Bekhazi from ‘Australians for Reconciliation
March 28th, 2013, 11:30 pm
Ziad said:
ABC interview with Robert Bekhazi from ‘Australians for Reconciliation’
March 28th, 2013, 11:35 pm
Observer said:
AIG sure I read it and I would suggest to you a book by Henry Cattan now unfortunately out of print it is called Palestine Israel and the UN. It talks about the legal issues of the creation of the state. Abba Eban refused to debate him a long time ago knowing he would not win the legal argument.
Reverse I am crazy indeed crazy about freedom and dignity.
ZOO why don’t you just book a flight from Cairo to Damascus for me and post it.
I have several frequent flyer miles to use to go visit.
Will they be serving peanuts on board?
Now the news from the economic section of Cham Press
Fruit and vegetable delivery is down by 50%
The Central Bank is lamenting the “black market” irrationality about the fall of the value of the pound.
Eastern Ghuta rebels are using Iranian plane fuel burning for heat these days 🙂 🙂
Good night and Good Luck
March 28th, 2013, 11:37 pm
ann said:
U.S. Arming Al-Qaeda in Syria
March 28th, 2013, 11:55 pm
Observer said:
Here is the story of the rebels using Iranian fuel for heating at Damascus International Airport
http://alhayat.com/Details/497719
March 29th, 2013, 12:08 am
ann said:
West Caught Running Al-Qaeda – March 21, 2013
March 29th, 2013, 12:12 am
Observer said:
ZOO this is the website of Syria Air
Please try to book a flight and if you can please post it here
http://www.syriaair.com/SAA/Homepage.aspx
March 29th, 2013, 12:15 am
Observer said:
Here is the flight status of Damascus airport
http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByAirport.do;jsessionid=A10F69EC558354C9F7E6DD6DC5D39900.web1:8009?airportCode=DAM&airportQueryType=0
As you can see there are no flights at this airport at this time.
Cheers
March 29th, 2013, 12:18 am
revenire said:
Funny, we fly from Tehran to Damascus every other day. Never an issue.
Maybe you’re thinking of another Damascus.
March 29th, 2013, 12:25 am
revenire said:
And, there are plenty of Russian flights in and out of Damascus all the time. I wonder why they’re not listed on your site Observer. Must be a glitch huh? Those Russian pilots love the food at the airport!
March 29th, 2013, 12:30 am
revenire said:
If no planes are flying in and out of Damascus what are the rats shooting at? UFOs? Scuds?
I am confused.
March 29th, 2013, 12:32 am
ann said:
Damascus’ airport commercial flights work regularly – 2013-03-28
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/28/c_132269283.htm
DAMASCUS, March 28 (Xinhua) — Damascus International Airport’s authorities said Thursday that the commercial flights at the airport are still working regularly, the state-run SANA news agency reported.
The airport is still fully operational with commercial flights departing and landing as usual, the report said.
The authorities at the airport dismissed reports alleging that a big fire erupted in the airport, added the report.
They also denied media report over the disruption of the airport’s activity due to rebels’ attack.
[…]
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/28/c_132269283.htm
CHEERS
March 29th, 2013, 12:34 am
revenire said:
Thanks Ann. China is a another “frequent flier” to Syria. We love their hospitality and generosity.
I have heard that North Korea also flies in from time to time with special gifts for our boys in the field.
I love the countries branded pariahs by the West. In this world who wants to be like the West anyway?
Oh yeah Iraq also loves the airport, despite weakling Kerry.
Our Damascus airport is no more dangerous than say Denver’s.
March 29th, 2013, 12:42 am
ann said:
Turkey deports 600 Syrian refugees over camp unrest: report – 2013-03-28
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/28/c_124516969.htm
ANKARA, March 28 (Xinhua) — Turkey deported Thursday some 600 Syrian refugees back to Syria after they clashed with Turkish policemen in a protest over a fire at a camp in southeastern Turkey, local media said.
The fire, breaking out Wednesday morning at Suleyman Sah tent city in Akcakale town in Sanliurfa province due to an electrical fault, killed a seven-year-old child and wounded three others, and later prompted the refugees to protest the camp’s living conditions. Some hurled stones at the Turkish police.
By watching monitor record, Turkish security officials determined those refugees who were involved in violence damaging the camp, and deported them in groups of 20-30, private Dogan News Agency reported.
[…]
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/28/c_124516969.htm
March 29th, 2013, 12:43 am
ann said:
Turkish police fire teargas at Syrian refugees in camp protest – March 27, 2013
http://rt.com/news/syria-refugees-turkey-teargas-940/
Turkish military police used water cannon and teargas to break up protesters at a Syrian refugee camp, who were venting their anger at living conditions after an electrical fire left one person dead and three seriously injured.
The fire broke out allegedly because of an electrical fault, which set a tent on fire early on Wednesday morning, killing a child and injuring three others from the same family. They are currently in a critical condition in hospital.
Protestors at the Suleiman Shah site, said that many people were wounded in the clashes.
However, Turkish authorities gave a different version of events. An official said residents became enraged when camp guards turned away about 200 Syrian refugees trying to get in.
[…]
http://rt.com/news/syria-refugees-turkey-teargas-940/
March 29th, 2013, 12:46 am
ann said:
Obama’s blood thirsty filthy animal Al-Qaeda friends:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c21_1364524607
March 29th, 2013, 12:56 am
ann said:
Al-Arabiya with new high-speed news uploading of Syria
Congratulations to Saudi-rag Al-Arabiya for a new technological breakthrough.
With blazing wahhabi-speed its now possible for them to upload pictures and videos from only 3 years ago!
Picture from “todays iranian plane crash in Damascus” using a picture from 2010. Pathetic as usual.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d4c_1364508262
CHEERS
March 29th, 2013, 1:03 am
ann said:
Jobar Synagogue
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9f0_1364467934
March 29th, 2013, 1:10 am
ann said:
SECOND POST – MARCH 28, 2013 – FSA AND ALQAEDA ROCKED BY SYRIAN ARMY IN DAMASCUS; LAVROV DECLARES GENEVA NULL AND VOID;RATS-STATS GALORE ..
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.de/
March 29th, 2013, 1:24 am
apple_mini said:
News is out: France backtracks on arming the rebels citing concerns weapons might end up in wrong hands and demanding the opposition to take control of expelling Islamists.
Who are those French kidding?
Besides, do people really care what the French think?
March 29th, 2013, 1:28 am
Dolly Buster said:
Source: Infowars.
Here is another Alex Jones breaking news: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuIefBu8U_k
March 29th, 2013, 6:01 am
Juergen said:
Ann
Assad Syria protected the synagogue,
what a lame joke. Have you ever set a foot in any synagogue in Syria? Any Syrian who would do so had to pass a security check by the muhabarat. As I tried to find the only still open synagogue in central Damascus, all those thugs would try to make me believe, there is no such thing as an synagogue. Anyway, I found it and had a talk with the leader of the synagogue. He told me that in order to see the Jobar synagogue one has to apply to the ministry of interiour. They were not allowed to have regular prayers there. Ever tried to find the synagogue in the central museum in Damascus? The guardians will try their utmost that no Syrian will find the most famous synagogue from Dura Europos. Have you seen the pictures of what was once the Aleppo central synagogue, I had found this synagogue by chance,and again, this synagogue is already in ruins, left for the passbyers to serve them as a toilet. Assad Syria cared a damn about their jewish population or its cultural remains.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108034865419809722926
March 29th, 2013, 6:35 am
apple_mini said:
NYT today has an article about the rebels’ killing on campus.
The author brings up an interesting fact, “Syria prides itself on its universities, which produce doctors and engineers who work across the Middle East and the world. The country’s many colleges help Syria maintain a middle class that is sizable by regional standards. Mr. Assad once called the university “a rallying point for the vanguard of Syrian and Arab young people.”
The opposition have been lambasting the regime for every issue the country was facing and calling the regime being the worst of tyrant every happened to ME, even worse than Hitler.
Can the opposition, the vanguards of their ideal Syria make comments on the facts mentioned above? Can someone in the opposition admit the regime has done some significant achievement for the country? Can they see the regime indeed had laid some foundation for a progressive future.
The “revolution” put an end to lots of dreams for sure.
March 29th, 2013, 7:05 am
Dolly Buster said:
Washington is barely involved, their help is very thin.
Russia is frantically supporting the dictatorship, and Obama hasn’t intervened.
So basically the war is Syrian Sunnis vs. Russia
The rebels will win, and Syria is a stage towards ultimate eradication of Russia from planet Earth.
March 29th, 2013, 7:14 am
Dolly Buster said:
Not really, it’s the worst government ever. After you turn your own cities into WW2 Dresden, there is not much lower to go.
Pull up, terrain !!
March 29th, 2013, 8:39 am
zoo said:
Is the opposition increasingly pressured by the West to negotiate a political solution?
After France and NATO’s rejection of helping militarily the opposition, now Obama joins in to say NO to non-lethal aid to rebels. Without a no-fly zone or heavy weapons, the ‘liberated areas’ are not protected therefore the interim government has no hopes of moving in Syria.
Breaking on The Lead: Obama says no to non-lethal assistance to Syria
http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/28/breaking-on-the-lead-obama-says-no-to-non-lethal-assistance-to-syria/
President Obama has been turning down the advice of some of his closest advisers – his vice president, both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, and his top military commanders – on how to deal with Syria. The National Security Council recommended the United States give non-lethal assistance to the Syrian rebels last month, but Obama did not approve the recommendation, according to Josh Rogin, with Foreign Policy Magazine
March 29th, 2013, 9:26 am
ann said:
CONFIRMED: US Shipping Weapons to Syria – Al Nusra’s “Mystery” Sponsors Revealed – Tony Cartalucci – March 25, 2013
http://www.infowars.com/confirmed-us-shipping-weapons-to-syria-al-nusras-mystery-sponsors-revealed/
While US President Barack Obama and the Western media lied in concert to the world regarding America’s role in supporting terrorists operating in Syria, it is now revealed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been shipping weapons to Syria via NATO-member Turkey and Jordan since at least early 2012. The New York Times in their article titled, “Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With C.I.A. Aid,” admits that:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/world/middleeast/arms-airlift-to-syrian-rebels-expands-with-cia-aid.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&
With help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey have sharply increased their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters in recent months, expanding a secret airlift of arms and equipment for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, according to air traffic data, interviews with officials in several countries and the accounts of rebel commanders.
The airlift, which began on a small scale in early 2012 and continued intermittently through last fall, expanded into a steady and much heavier flow late last year, the data shows. It has grown to include more than 160 military cargo flights by Jordanian, Saudi and Qatari military-style cargo planes landing at Esenboga Airport near Ankara, and, to a lesser degree, at other Turkish and Jordanian airports.
The New York Times piece attempts to spin America’s role in arming militants in Syria. The Times continues by stating:
The American government became involved, the former American official said, in part because there was a sense that other states would arm the rebels anyhow. The C.I.A. role in facilitating the shipments, he said, gave the United States a degree of influence over the process, including trying to steer weapons away from Islamist groups and persuading donors to withhold portable antiaircraft missiles that might be used in future terrorist attacks on civilian aircraft.
This is categorically false. Already, in 2007, US officials had divulged plans to destroy Syria by arming sectarian extremists, using Saudi Arabia and other regional actors as proxies to launder US and Israel support through – maintaining a degree of credibility amongst the terrorist receiving the aid, as well as a degree of plausible deniabiliy for Washington and Tel Aviv politically. In Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh’s 2007 New Yorker article, “The Redirection: Is the Administration’s new policy benefiting our enemies in the war on terrorism?” the strategy was described as follows:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/05/070305fa_fact_hersh?currentPage=all
To undermine Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, the Bush Administration has decided, in effect, to reconfigure its priorities in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the Administration has coöperated with Saudi Arabia’s government, which is Sunni, in clandestine operations that are intended to weaken Hezbollah, the Shiite organization that is backed by Iran. The U.S. has also taken part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and its ally Syria. A by-product of these activities has been the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups that espouse a militant vision of Islam and are hostile to America and sympathetic to Al Qaeda.
Perhaps more importantly, the report would also state:
Some of the core tactics of the redirection are not public, however. The clandestine operations have been kept secret, in some cases, by leaving the execution or the funding to the Saudis, or by finding other ways to work around the normal congressional appropriations process, current and former officials close to the Administration said.
Clearly, that “sense that other states would arm the rebels anyhow” was gleaned from premeditated conspiracies long-ago hatched between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh. And as the terrible consequences of this conspiracy come to fruition with tens of thousands dead, the West is eager to disclaim any and all responsibility, hoping sincerely that the public hasn’t the collective memory or intelligence to pick up a newspaper from 2007 and read what they had already admitted to planning.
“Mystery” of Al Qaeda’s al-Nusra Sponsorship Revealed
The confirmed admission implicates NATO directly in militarily intervening in Syria’s ongoing conflict and reveals the source of arms and cash that have ended up primarily in the hands of Al Qaeda’s Syrian franchise, US designated terror front, Jabhat al-Nusra. (see here for other examples of US arming listed terror organizations)
The CIA, Western media, and Western politicians insist that they have taken every precaution to ensure the now admitted torrent of cash and weapons that have been flowing into Syria to compound and perpetuate the bloodbath, did not end up in the hands of terrorists. However, no plausible explanation has been given as to where al-Nusra is getting its cash and weapons from, or how it has managed to eclipse the extensively Western-backed “moderates,” to become the premier front in the fight against the Syrian people.
Indeed, the New York Times’ article “Syrian Rebels Tied to Al Qaeda Play Key Role in War,” states:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/world/middleeast/syrian-rebels-tied-to-al-qaeda-play-key-role-in-war.html?pagewanted=all
The lone Syrian rebel group with an explicit stamp of approval from Al Qaeda has become one of the uprising’s most effective fighting forces, posing a stark challenge to the United States and other countries that want to support the rebels but not Islamic extremists.
Money flows to the group, the Nusra Front, from like-minded donors abroad. Its fighters, a small minority of the rebels, have the boldness and skill to storm fortified positions and lead other battalions to capture military bases and oil fields. As their successes mount, they gather more weapons and attract more fighters.
The group is a direct offshoot of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi officials and former Iraqi insurgents say, which has contributed veteran fighters and weapons.
While the London Telegraph reports in their article, “Syria: how jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra is taking over Syria’s revolution,” that:
And in recent weeks it is Jabhat al-Nusra, a radical jihadist group blacklisted by the US as terrorists and a group that wants Syria to be an uncompromising Islamic state governed by sharia, that is holding sway.
The group is well funded – probably through established global jihadist networks – in comparison to moderates. Meanwhile pro-democracy rebel group commanders say money from foreign governments has all but dried up because of fears over radical Islamists.
The effect is changing the face of the Syrian revolution
“The group is well funded – probably through established global jihadist networks – in comparison to moderates.” Could the London Telegraph be capable of such incomplete or incompetent reporting regarding what it seems to allude to as an unsolvable “mystery” regarding al-Nusra’s sponsors?
In October of 2012, the Land Destroyer Report published, “NATO Using Al Qaeda Rat Lines to Flood Syria With Foreign Terrorists,” which traced the logistical network now admitted to by the New York Times. This logistical network was then overlaid with Al Qaeda’s regional networks, documented extensively during the US occupation of Iraq by the US Army’s own West Point Combating Terrorism Center. The very regions along the Turkish-Syrian border, the Jordanian-Syrian border, and the Iraqi-Syrian border which served as recruiting and staging grounds for Al Qaeda terrorists during the Iraq War, now serve as the primary logistical hubs admittedly overseen by the CIA.
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2012/10/nato-using-al-qaeda-rat-lines-to-flood.html
It is now admitted that thousands of tons of weapons have been smuggled into Syria by the US and its regional allies. While the Western media has attempted in the past to feign ignorance as to where Al Qaeda’s al-Nusra was getting their weapons from, it is now abundantly clear – al-Nusra’s power has expanded across Syria in tandem with the CIA’s ever-expanding operations along the nation’s borders. If the US is working directly with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, to arm militants, who else could possibly be working to arm and fund al-Nusra on a greater scale if not this axis itself?
This criminal conspiracy appears to have escaped the UN’s competence and capabilities, requiring that states around the world mobilize an expedient response to the dangerous, unhinged and genocidal campaign being waged by the West against Syria. If the West refuses to end its direct fueling of the Syrian crisis or answer for how their weapons have ended up almost exclusively in al-Nusra’s hands, Syria’s allies must begin contemplating open and extensive aid to help the nation defend itself against overt international terrorism.
Reports indicate that it was al-Nusra who used chemical weapons in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, according to the London Telegraph. An Al Qaeda terror front wielding WMDs, we are told, is the sum of all fears and the ultimate impetus driving the unending “War on Terror.”
[…]
http://www.infowars.com/confirmed-us-shipping-weapons-to-syria-al-nusras-mystery-sponsors-revealed/
March 29th, 2013, 9:38 am
zoo said:
What about ‘Islamic administrations’ popping up in Syria?
Emerging civil administrations: a way forward in Syria?
Tristan Salmon 29 March 2013
http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/tristan-salmon/emerging-civil-administrations-way-forward-in-syria
Whereas the government and security institutions of Egypt and Tunisia have remained intact, necessity being the mother of invention, a new form of governance has emerged in Syria. This in itself is worth celebrating and supporting.
….
The long-term future of Syria may also rest on the strength of local councils.
The stark reality is that Syria has already fragmented into fiefdoms, each delineated and controlled by armed groups.
Should Damascus and Assad fall, the victorious battalion that claims to liberate Syria will be celebrated, but the hundreds of other battalions around the country will not view them with any greater legitimacy to rule them, than they have to rule Damascus.
The risk of further conflict post-Assad remains high; the formation of a national governance structure, wedded from councils around the country, could provide representatives to a national assembly soon after liberation. From this assembly a government could be elected; a better option than installing a transitional government from outside with no mandate to rule.
..
Civil administrations need more than pilot projects and promises. They need a concerted strategy to fulfil the underlying aspiration of the uprising – to redraw the social contract between citizens and the state from the ground up.
March 29th, 2013, 9:43 am
ann said:
West Drops Syria WMD Narrative As Evidence Points to Western-Armed Terrorists – Tony Cartalucci – March 25, 2013
http://www.infowars.com/west-drops-syria-wmd-narrative-as-evidence-points-to-western-armed-terrorists/
For the US, UK, France, and its regional partners including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, nothing would have suited their interests more than if the recent chemical attack reported in Aleppo Syria turned out to be (or could have been portrayed as being) the work of the Syrian government, or even “loose” weapons that had fallen into the hands of Al Qaeda terrorists the West both arms and condemns simultaneously.
However, a strange silence has fallen across the Western media regarding the chemical attack which Israel had even claimed to have “confirmed.” Now, a recent report published in the London Telegraph by Channel 4 journalist Alex Thomson has produced convincing evidence that implicates the West’s terrorist proxies as the perpetrators, and goes far in explaining the otherwise inexplicable silence exhibited by Wall Street and London’s propaganda machine. Titled, “Syria chemical weapons: finger pointed at jihadists,” Thomson reported that:
The military’s version of events is that the home-made rocket was fired at a military checkpoint situated at the entrance to the town. The immediate effects were to induce vomiting, fainting , suffocation and seizures among those in the immediate area.
A second source – a medic at the local civilian hospital – said that he personally witnessed Syrian army helping those wounded and dealing with fatalities at the scene. That Syrian soldiers were among the reported 26 deaths has not been disputed by either side.
The military source who spoke to Channel 4 News confirmed that artillery reports from the Syrian Army suggest a small rocket was fired from the vicinity of Al-Bab, a district close to Aleppo that is controlled by Jabhat al-Nusra – a jihadist group said to be linked with al-Qaeda and deemed a “terrorist organisation” by the US.
Thomson describes his contact in Syria as “a trusted and hitherto reliable source.” Thomson’s report, coupled with the silence across the West’s governments and media houses, implies that indeed this version of the story falls closest yet to the truth. The West’s silence in the face of an otherwise spectacular opportunity to advance its agenda may also indicate its faltering legitimacy and the loss of confidence that it can rewrite, at will, reality to suit its agenda – as it has done so many times in the past.
The West also faces a growing crisis if its terrorist proxies continue using chemical weapons, whatever their origin. CNN had reported in December of 2012, in a report titled, “Sources: U.S. helping underwrite Syrian rebel training on securing chemical weapons,” that:
The United States and some European allies are using defense contractors to train Syrian rebels on how to secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, a senior U.S. official and several senior diplomats told CNN Sunday.
The training, which is taking place in Jordan and Turkey, involves how to monitor and secure stockpiles and handle weapons sites and materials, according to the sources. Some of the contractors are on the ground in Syria working with the rebels to monitor some of the sites, according to one of the officials.
This would implicate the West directly in giving terrorists using chemical weapons against Syria’s population the knowledge and training to handle just such weapons. While the West continues to insist there is a divide between the terrorists it is arming, funding, and training, and the terrorists openly fighting under the banner of sectarian extremism, it is clear that even the US’ hand-picked “interim government” is run entirely by the sectarian extremist organization, the Muslim Brotherhood. Thomson’s report implicates the Al Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra as possibly being behind the attack, and notes that it is listed by the US as a “terrorist organisation.” However, so-called Syrian opposition leader, Moaz al-Khatib, had personally defended al-Nusra, openly admitting it was fighting alongside his Western-backed front.
As the West’s credibility crumbles regarding Syria, and as its “success” in Libya continues to burn, its arming, training, aiding and abetting of terrorists carrying out increasingly horrific atrocities which now appear to include the use of chemical weapons, will haunt them not only in their pursuit of transforming the Levant, but in many years to come, in regards to all of their geopolitical ambitions.
[…]
http://www.infowars.com/west-drops-syria-wmd-narrative-as-evidence-points-to-western-armed-terrorists/
March 29th, 2013, 9:58 am
ann said:
Did Obama Give Israel Go-Ahead With Syria? – Mar 24, 2013
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/did-obama-give-israel-go-ahead-syria_708907.html
On Friday, President Barack Obama left Israel, after spending a couple days with the leaders of America’s closest ally in the region.
Now today, two days later, Israel has acknowledged that it fired at a military position in Syria. “Israel said it fired into Syria on Sunday and destroyed a machinegun position in the Golan from where shots had been fired at Israeli soldiers in a further spillover of the Syrian civil war along a tense front,” Reuters reports. “It was not immediately clear whether Israel held Syrian troops or rebels responsible for what a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said had been a deliberate attack on Israeli patrols in the occupied territory.”
The sequence of events leads one to ask, what did the two leaders, Obama and Netanyahu, discuss regarding Syria when they met multiple times this last week in Jerusalem? And what did they agree to do to deal with the Syria issue?
The answers aren’t immediately clear.
But we do know that the two discussed Syria. “Mr. President, we discussed today the situation in Syria,” said Netanyahu at a joint press conference with the two leaders. “We share the goal of seeing a stable and peaceful Syria emerge from the carnage that we have witnessed over the last two years. That carnage has already resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 people and the suffering of millions. We also share a determination to prevent the deadly arsenal of weapons within Syria from falling into the hands of terrorist hands. And I have no doubt that the best way to do that is to work closely with the United States and other countries in the region to address this challenge. And that is what we intend to do.”
Obama, who was asked at least twice on the trip about allowing the bloodshed to continue in Syria, said, “With respect to Syria, the United States continues to work with allies and friends and the Syrian opposition to hasten the end of Assad’s rule, to stop the violence against the Syrian people, and begin a transition toward a new government that respects the rights of all its people.”
And we know that Obama talked with the king of Jordan about Syria, too.
[…]
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/did-obama-give-israel-go-ahead-syria_708907.html
March 29th, 2013, 10:06 am
Tara said:
Click and see the picture,,,
http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/29/war-child-7-joins-front-line-fight-with-rebels-in-syria-3564995/
A filmmaker who visited the war-torn country was told by one child that blood had ‘become like water’ to him.
‘With time it has become easy, blood has become like water to me,’ he said.
‘In the beginning, when I saw blood I would shiver and be frightened but now I don’t have any problem.’
March 29th, 2013, 10:23 am
revenire said:
Maybe you can send your kids for jihad against Sunni university students and then when they come back, if they come back, they can be arrested and face life in prison for supporting Al-Qaeda like Eric Harroun is.
Isn’t freedom great?
March 29th, 2013, 10:39 am
zoo said:
Armed rebels attempting a last ditch before being forced into negotiations?
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/campus-attack-marks-rebel-escalation-in-damascus-1.1164390s
…
Zohbi said that the “foreign order” to carry out Thursday’s attack on the architecture faculty close to Umayyad Square in the city centre “comes in tandem with the decision to hand Syria’s seat in the Arab League” to the opposition.
“Turkey, Qatar and several Arab and Western spying agencies are trying their best in a last-ditch attempt to overthrow (the regime) and bring about the collapse of the Syrian state,” he said.
…
There are almost daily clashes on the outskirts of Damascus but, despite talk of a “final battle” for the capital, insurgents have so far been unable to launch a major offensive.
March 29th, 2013, 10:41 am
revenire said:
Damascus University Students Light Candles for Repose of Their Colleagues’ Souls
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Students of the University of Damascus on Thursday organized a ‘mourning stand’ for the repose of the souls of their colleagues who were martyred in the Faculty of Architectural Engineering by mortar shells.
The participants in the event lit candles at the site of the terrorist attack, stressing that “the martyrs’ blood won’t go in vain”, and that terrorism will not deviate them from continuing the process of education.
“We will remain loyal to our martyrs’ souls by committing to continue our education process which the terrorists try to assassinate,” said the participating students, stressing that they will continue to go to university and attend classes as they are “the homeland’s future.”
The strongly condemned the targeting of residential neighborhoods, schools, universities and worship places by terrorists, holding the countries which are supporting the terrorist groups responsible for these crimes.
H. Said
http://sana.sy/servers/gallery/201303/20130329-140059_h474994.jpg
http://sana.sy/servers/gallery/201303/20130329-140028.jpg
http://sana.sy/eng/21/2013/03/29/474994.htm
March 29th, 2013, 10:45 am
zoo said:
Obama and Syria
http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/29/obama-syria-and-iran/
….
Also unnecessary have been Obama’s series of Dictator X—Mubarak, Gaddafi, Assad—”must”-go statements. He’s been lucky in Egypt and Libya, but the pressure’s building for him to make Bashar Assad go in Syria, which would be a potentially disastrous departure from his prudent reluctance to involve ourselves militarily in that unholy mess.
…
Syria is even more problematic than Iran. It is, in a way, a replay of Iraq. The President is being pressed into action by the usual U.S. bomb squad—McCain and assorted neocons—but there also seems to be movement toward taking some sort of action on the side of the rebels from within his Administration.
The humanitarian situation is desperate. The possibility of utter chaos is real. And so there is talk of imposing a no-fly zone. That worked in Iraq after the first Gulf War. (But Saddam Hussein wasn’t fighting for his life, as Assad is—Assad might shoot back.) The CIA is helping expedite arms to the rebels. (We did that in Afghanistan in the 1980s, and our “allies” there became the Taliban.)
….
The fact is, no one knows which way Syria is going. No one knows which rebels will prevail. After the past decade, we should know this: we will have little control over the outcome and, given our history of clunky kinetics, the use of American military force is likely to make the situation worse.
The President has played Syria correctly so far: our role is to try to organize the neighboring countries around a strategy that will limit the damage; encourage the rebels to negotiate a deal with the more reasonable elements of the Assad regime, if there are any; and then provide nonmilitary assistance to put the pieces back together once the fighting is done. Anything more would be sheer folly.
Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/29/obama-syria-and-iran/#ixzz2OwMd4eug
March 29th, 2013, 10:50 am
Dolly Buster said:
Obama refuses to send even non-lethal aid:
http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/28/breaking-on-the-lead-obama-says-no-to-non-lethal-assistance-to-syria/
March 29th, 2013, 10:53 am
zoo said:
Dolly #314
Thanks for repeating my post
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=18293&cp=7#comment-357658
March 29th, 2013, 11:00 am
revenire said:
LOL
Dolly you’re in competion with Mari “the war goes on” Goldran for the biggest idiot on SC.
March 29th, 2013, 11:05 am
Tara said:
• Rebels have captured a strategically-important town near the border with Jordan and only 10 miles (15km) from Damascus, according to activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain. The rebel gain of Dael has coincided with what regional officials and military experts say is a sharp increase in weapons shipments to opposition fighters by Arab governments in coordination with the US in the hope of readying a push into Assad’s stronghold in Damascus, the Associated Press reported. But the regime still retains a strong presence in the area between Dael and the capital.
(…)
The Guardian
March 29th, 2013, 11:08 am
zoo said:
Russia flexing its muscles in the Caspian sea.
Russia’s naval exercise is message both to Syria and Black Sea region
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-311131-russias-naval-exercise-is-message-both-to-syria-and-black-sea-region.html
The naval drill may also have to do with the developments in Syria, given that the course of events seems to have picked up speed in recent weeks. The frequency of calls for a no-fly zone, which Turkey has also long demanded, to prevent the Syrian military from staging air attacks against the opposition forces have increased in the last couple of days.
….
For Habibe Özdal, a Russia analyst from Turkey’s International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), the drill is mainly being organized to polish the image of the Russian military,
…
She believes that the exercise is a show of muscle-flexing while negotiations are probably ongoing between great powers behind closed doors.
March 29th, 2013, 11:10 am
zoo said:
#317 Tara
Great, Dael is one more choice for Suzanne Hitto besides Aazzaz and Raqqah to move her family.
March 29th, 2013, 11:20 am
zoo said:
UN Team Faces Tough Task in Syrian Chemical Probe
video
http://www.voanews.com/content/un-team-faces-tough-task-in-syrian-chemical-probe/1631022.html
March 29th, 2013, 11:26 am
revenire said:
It is not a war between two sides in Syria
There is no greater distortion of reality than to portray the war in Syria as one fought between two warring sides. There are no two sides inside Syria; there is simply Syria and the enemies of Syria. As such, when we call for a dialogue between “the two sides” we are not referring to the two sides of Syria, or two camps within Syria, as though there were some political or moral parity between them, but to the side that represents the Syrian Arab Republic and the side that represents those who want to destroy it. The fact that some of Syria’s enemies happen to be Syrian does not make them any more representative of one side of Syria than their Arab and American masters.
Yes, the war is taking place on Syrian soil and it does possess characteristics of a civil war, but it remains a war ON Syria and not one between two sides of Syria. To state otherwise is to confer popular legitimacy and sovereignty on those that pursue the destruction of the Syrian state.
http://resistance-episteme.tumblr.com/post/46590962100/it-is-not-a-war-between-two-sides-in-syria
March 29th, 2013, 11:36 am
Dolly Buster said:
Well, I don’t want Shia & Russian swine to tyrannize muslim Syria.
Why is that a problematic position
The Free World considers shooting down Russo-Shiite planes:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/03/29/U-S-considers-no-fly-zone-over-Syria.html
March 29th, 2013, 11:37 am
Tara said:
Zoo,
You underestimate us women..
Our ambition is the presedential palace in Damascus.
March 29th, 2013, 11:41 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Da-el is 15 Km from Deraa,80Km from Damascus, to the west of Da-el there is large army base, it seems Deraa is Isolated,and may fall soon,The governor of Deraa moved his center to Izraa,5 Km east of Sheikh Miskin,where there is another army base,
The downing of Iranian cargo plane is verified,it was shot when it was 2000 feet from the ground,indicating the proximty of the rebels to the airport,the plane flew over Iraq,the plane and the cargo cost is over 300 million dollar.
March 29th, 2013, 12:06 pm
zoo said:
Ibrahimi comes out of his coma to repeat the same old cliches. He forgets that he is not a journalist but a envoy supposedly send and paid to solve problem not to repeat what is to be done. It is his job to do it.
UN Envoy Opposes Arming Opposition
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/03/article55297311
Brahimi calls for political solution to the conflict as violence continues
…
Brahimi admitted that the situation in Syria is “extremely bad and getting worse all the time. I haven’t seen, and do not see, any improvement.”
…
“What really needs to be done is to work effectively, all of us—the Syrians, the region, and the international community—to reach a political solution to the conflict.”
He added, “Both sides are looking for a military victory. Each one of them I think still believes that military victory is possible for their side; therefore, the intensity of the fighting is increasing and expanding.”
March 29th, 2013, 12:24 pm
revenire said:
At least he said this: “Mr. Brahimi said that he does not back the resolution of the recent summit of the Arab League in Qatar’s capital Doha, which calls for arming the Syrian opposition. This would only aggravate the situation in Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi is convinced.”
March 29th, 2013, 12:29 pm
zoo said:
Qatar increasingly isolated in the GCC over its support of the Moslem Brotherhood.. After UAE, Kuwait will crack down on possible Moslem Brotherhood cells in Kuwait. It doesn’t look good for Morsi and the Syrian opposition dominated by the MB
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/03/article55297296
PM Says Kuwait Will Not ‘Remain Silent’ over MB Cell
Kuwait City, Asharq Al-Awsat—Kuwait’s prime minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabbah, stated that his country will take action if it is proven that Kuwaiti nationals were involved with the Muslim Brotherhood cell arrested by the UAE authorities earlier this year.
In an exclusive statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Sheikh Jaber revealed that the Emirati authorities had informed Kuwait of “two Kuwaitis suspected of involvement in financing this cell,” adding,
March 29th, 2013, 12:30 pm
revenire said:
There won’t be a No-Fly Zone. I’ve been told by President Obama himself that he’s terrified of Syria. Assad gives him nightmares and sleepless nights. It is humiliation after humiliation for the West’s plans.
Dolly you’re gaining on Mari “what goes around comes around” Goldran today but I am sure he will come around to dazzle us with useless cliches and phantom victories.
So far today 3 Russian cargo planes and 6 Iranian cargo planes have landed in Damascus with weapons and cash. Our army has so many weapons we can’t find enough rats to kill them with. Is that why they’ve turned to using 7 year old boys?
March 29th, 2013, 12:34 pm
zoo said:
#326 Revenire
Ibrahimi was send as the Arab league-UN envoy to push for a political solution. The theft of the Syrian seat by the Qatar sponsored gang killed the political solution. It is a “coup” to replace de facto the current government by an unelected one and therefore making the Geneva accord void.
To keep some credibility, Ibrahimi should have condemn the move. The guy is weak, confused, hopeless or simply corrupted.
March 29th, 2013, 12:38 pm
revenire said:
Yes, you’re right. He sickens me.
March 29th, 2013, 12:45 pm
Visitor said:
I noticed there has been no change here on SC during my absence. WarrenZoo is still a pathetic low life as usual, and the rest of the same low lives are still barking nontheless – a natural function encoded into their genes which we can do nothing about. I noticed, however, that Ali is absent.
???? ??? ???? ????? ?????
??? ????? ?? ?????? ?????
sob, sob, sob….tears flowing a river over cheeks.
ehi..ehi…ehi ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
But I noticed that our herores of the FSA led by the holy warriors of Nusra are scoring victories on the ground at much faster rates. I am particularly impressed by the shooting down of the weapon laden Mullah plane over Damascus airport. I am also impressed by advances in the Dera’a areas.
I was also told that Bashar ‘presided’ over his terrorist team so-called cabinet inside a windowless bunker, perhaps trying to get out of range of our holy warriors of Nusra??
March 29th, 2013, 12:51 pm
zoo said:
Majed.. “verified”? Bad digital special effects! Funny it did not explode with so much ammunition in it
Iranian Embassy in Syria denies that Syrian rebels shot down Iranian plane at airport
http://www.panorama.am/en/world/2013/03/29/ambasy/
The Iranian Embassy in Syria denies the information that Syrian rebels have downed an Iranian plane, Asriran.com reported.
The Free Syrian Army has issued a statement saying that the Syrian rebels downed an Iranian plane that was landing at Damascus Airport.
According to Asriran.com, the opposition activists have released a video showing a large airliner flying before it appeared to be struck with a fireball. However, the authenticity of the video has not been verified.
March 29th, 2013, 12:52 pm
zoo said:
WIZI
“I was also told that Bashar ‘presided’ over his terrorist team so-called cabinet inside a windowless bunker, perhaps trying to get out of range of our holy warriors of Nusra??
Your source is wrong, the meeting was held on a Russian boat.
March 29th, 2013, 12:55 pm
zoo said:
#323 Tara
Like Hitto the Sheriff, Casper the friendly ghost and Sumo Thani, keep dreaming..
March 29th, 2013, 1:00 pm
SYRIAN HAMSTER said:
@ 306.
Consistency?!!!!!
Wasn’t Israel supposed to boss Obama around according to the “global conspiracy” the cut-paste entity screeches about hourly? or should we just throw in the toilet 90% of the meaningless rants this entity cuts and pastes?
I think the latter + 10% more.
March 29th, 2013, 1:01 pm
Ghufran said:
???????? ?????????:?????? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????
????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? “???????? ??????” ???????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ????????.
??????
Next time you want to know what the NC is up to, check the state dept website
March 29th, 2013, 1:12 pm
ann said:
334. Ghufran said:
Next time you want to know what the NC is up to, check the state dept website
They also manage this blog 😉
March 29th, 2013, 1:20 pm
zoo said:
Ghufran
No wonder, after having being Erdogan’s puppet, Al Khatib is now Kerry’s puppet: a big promotion for a small fish with amnesia.
Dialog with the regime? what dialog with the regime?
Resignation? what resignation?
NATO call? What NATO call?
March 29th, 2013, 1:22 pm
Observer said:
Clutching at straws and looking for every conceivable piece of information to reassure the audience that Athad is winning against the World Wide Web of Al Qaeda Western ZIonist Salafist Wahabi Imperialistic Neo colonialist Neo Conservative War agains the Nationalist Arab Secular Axis of Resistance with its Beating Heart throbbing for the Glory of our Brave Mighty Armed Forces.
Kim Il Sung is turning in his grave as this propaganda machine has put the North Korean News Agency to shame.
The Russians are conducting drills in the Black Sea just as the Iranians are doing the same in the Strait of Hormuz.
I am scared for the NK missiles are now ready to strike the US bases and mainland to teach the Arrogant Imperialist Colonialist Forces of World Wide Capitalism and Neo Liberalism the value of the Great Struggle of the Heroic People’s Repubic of North Korea as its ability to forge 100 Dollar bills has been undermined recently by the new technology of detecting counterfeiters.
Oh I forgot, Daraya is still free.
Cheers
March 29th, 2013, 1:26 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
from uprooted palestinians
(http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/)
March 29, 2013
Syria
15000 Syrian soldiers have fell martyrs since the beginning assault on Syria among them 150 officers . 1300 terrorist gangs are fighting in Syria gathered from 40 countries but the Syrian army is still able to deal with those and has mastered new techniques of street war . Under US pressure Jordan has opened its borders with Syria namely in the area of Dar’a where the clashes …started 2 years ago when agents started shooting at both the demonstrators and the police. The demonstrations were never peaceful and weapons were kept in the mosques of Dar’a that were smuggled through tunnels of many kilometers that linked Jordan to the city of Dar’a .The media exaggerated the event and poured fuel on the fire . A journalist reporting from the ground said that demonstrations and protests led by the opposition never exceeded 2 thousands whether in Dar’a or elsewhere .
More and more opposition thugs are being treated in Israel , they receive medical care in Israeli hospitals and after that they are sent back to Syria to resume the fight. They cross to occupied Palestine through Golan Heights .Yesterday number of them were sent back to Syria after receiving medical care in the settlement of Naharia in the north .Giving medical care to the thugs was licensed by the Israeli northern army commander.
Belgium will arrest any Belgian opposition fighter returning from Syria to Belgium.
The shelling of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Damascus with missiles yesterday caused the deat h of ten students and injured many others .
President Holland refuses to provide the opposition with weapons for fear that they will fall in the hands of fanatics probably after various weapons had reached the fighters of Mali coming from Libya as explained by experts . Mind you , the Libyan arsenals have been for two years now providing the thugs of the opposition with various weapons that were loaded on boats and will leave Libya to reach Lebanon through Egypt and then would be smuggled to Syria . No doubt that Holland knew about that and did not object it , but now the Syrian opposition is no more in a favorable position and its western allies are trying to redefine their positions ..
Ma’az al Khatib will head the coalition of the opposition for another 6 months as ordered by the US administration , and the Patriot missiles he requested will not be deployed at the borders with Iraq .On the other hand the Russian military expanded maneuvers that started yesterday in the Black Sea came as an answer to the US viewing the possibility of creating a NO FLY Zone in northern Syria at the borders with Turkey. The Russian answer came quick in terms of starting the maneuvers .
Israel is also gathering tanks and military equipment at the borders with Lebanon . Israeli militaries fear another war with Lebanon that will be drastic – according to their saying- since the Resistance of Hizbullah is fully equipped and fully on the guard and is expected – in case of war- to launch each day approximately one thousand missiles at Israel that could hit any place in the occupied land . The military experts complained that it will be extremely difficult to deal with the situation and that the Resistance is in possession of a great number of missiles with multiple ranges .
****A growing role is seen played by the popular committees in different Syrian areas who are sharing in the responsibility of protecting the villages and preventing the thugs of the opposition from taking hold of villages and towns . Bread is reaching all areas and the supplies are available for all Syrians.
March 29th, 2013, 1:40 pm
mjabali said:
Visitor: ?????? ???????
You should be banned from this blog. Your parents’ tarbiyah is reflected in your words. That if we did not speak about your seventh grade education: example: al-Taqiyyah and al-Taqwa? Still think they are the same? I told you before that your education is suspect.
March 29th, 2013, 1:42 pm
5 dancing shlomos said:
franklin lamb at al manar
(http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=87989&cid=41&fromval=1&frid=41&seccatid=101&s1=0)
“Despite years of pledges to eliminate visas requirements, along the lines of the European Ginga visa it should be noted that only one Arab country has waived visas for their Arab sisters and brothers internationally.
That would be the Syrian Arab Republic.
It is Syria, along with Palestine, out of all the 22 Arab League members, who most consistently and steadfastly have represented Arab Nationalism, Arab resistance to occupation, and the stated goals enunciated 66 years ago when the Arab League was established.”
March 29th, 2013, 1:46 pm
zoo said:
Syrian fighters burning books in Reqqa
By Lilly Martin (An american living in Syria)
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Syrian-fighters-burning-bo-by-Lilly-Martin-130313-73.html
The smell of burning books hangs heavy over the city of Raqqa, Syria. On March 4, 2013 the rebel fighters occupied the city of Raqaa, which is in the far North East province of Syria, and took the governor hostage. Thousands of innocent civilians are now under the occupation of armed fighters.
…
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, calls these rebels “freedom fighters’. But they are far from that description. Freedom fighters would not make the public burning of books one of their first acts as liberators in Syria. The mere inclusion of the word freedom in their description would preclude the burning of books.
These rebels are the Free Syrian Army, Jibhat al Nusra and Al Qaeda. These three armed Islamic terrorist groups are united as the armed wing of the Syrian National Coalition, headed by Moaz al Khatib, who is a Muslim Brotherhood cleric. The United Nations and the Arab League have both reported for almost 2 years, that Al Qaeda is fighting on the ground in Syria.
There is a world of difference between armed Islamic terrorists, who are fighting against the Syrian people, in a war to occupy Syria with their own fascist ideology, and freedom fighters. Their ideology calls for Sunni Islam exclusively, and all other sects to be eliminated through sectarian cleansing. They are burning books in Reqaa now.
March 29th, 2013, 1:49 pm
zoo said:
FSA Terrorists Film Burning of Shia Muslim Books & Artwork in Supposed Damascus location
March 29th, 2013, 1:56 pm
Visitor said:
???? ??????? ?????? ?????? MJabali,
??? ??? ???
You think everyone here is like you? Graduates of canine doghouses?
??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?????. ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???
You’re sooooooooo jealous and envious of your betters. Eat your heart out.
March 29th, 2013, 1:58 pm
revenire said:
March 29th, 2013, 2:06 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Zoo
330
Since when anyone believes the Iranians? no one believes what they say.
How many times Bashar said It is finished(Khilset)?self delusion is your worst enemy.
In Damascus the only places that Assad still control is Muhajrin,Malki,Abu Rummaneh,all the rest areas in Damascus are attacked by the rebels
the trouble is Qassioun mountain
March 29th, 2013, 3:25 pm
Citizen said:
U.S. not draw conclusions from their mistakes!
The so-called Council of forty, which is composed of senior officials, Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, US, taking the strategically important policy decisions, resulting in its last meeting made three verdict:
– As far as possible to extend the war in SAR;
– To support the Syrian anti-government groups by supplying fighters, military trainers and weapons;
– To organize Attempt in north-eastern of Syria an independent state, which will be an obstacle to the implementation of the Iranian gas supply to the Mediterranean, and, therefore, in Europe while creating all the conditions for the implementation of the project, leading from Qatar through Jordan to the Turkish section of the main Nabucco pipeline.
U.S. could not agree with Iran. As a result, Netanyahu was able to entice the prospect of continuing the war Obama hands Salafis that open the way to the genocide of the Syrians The situation is critical – in front of a lot of blood, increased conflict and Wahhabi terror in Europe and Asia …
U.S. not to draw conclusions from the failure of its foreign policy in the Middle East, malignancy rates Salafis and Al Qaeda. Moreover, they are now trying to convince Russia not to interfere and “trade off” Syria made some concessions in Europe.
March 29th, 2013, 3:40 pm
MarigoldRan said:
Dael captured. The war continues.
March 29th, 2013, 3:46 pm
Citizen said:
how obama chose war over peace in syria
http://poorrichards-blog.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-obama-chose-war-over-peace-in-syria.html
By Shamus Cooke | Worker’s Action | March 28, 2013
With Syria on the brink of national genocide, outside nations have only two options: help reverse the catastrophe or plunge this torn nation deeper into the abyss. Countries can either work towards a peaceful political solution or they can continue to pour money, guns, and fighters into the country to ensure a steady gushing into the bloodbath.
President Obama will have no talk of peace. He has chosen war since the very start and he’s sticking to it. A recentNew York Times article revealed that President Obama has been lying through his teeth about the level of U.S. involvement in the Syrian conflict since the beginning.
The President recently said that the U.S. government continues to give only “non-lethal” military aid to the rebels, but the New York Times revealed that the CIA has been actively funneling and distributing massive shipments of weapons to the rebels over the borders of Jordan and Turkey.
This “arms pipeline” of illegal gun trafficking has been overseen by the U.S. government since January 2012. It has literally been the lifeblood of the Syrian “rebels,” and thus the cause of the immense bloodshed in Syria.
The New York Times reports:
The C.I.A. role in facilitating the [weapons] shipments… gave the United States a degree of influence over the process [of weapon distribution]…American officials have confirmed that senior White House officials were regularly briefed on the [weapons] shipments.
The article also explains that a “conservative estimate” of the weapons shipment to date is “3,500 tons.”
So while Obama has repeatedly lied about “non-lethal” military aid, he has been personally involved in overseeing a multi-country flood of weapons into Syria, many of which are given to terrorist organizations. The only effective fighting force for the Syrian rebels has been the terrorist grouping the Al Nusra Front, and now we know exactly where they got their guns.
If not for this U.S.-sponsored flood of guns, the Syrian rebels — many of them from Saudi Arabia and other countries — would have been militarily defeated long ago. Tens of thousands of lives would thus have been spared and a million refugees could have remained in their homes in Syria. The large scale ethnic cleansing initiated by the rebels would have been preventable.
But Obama is so intent on war that he will not even discuss peace with the Syrian government. He has repeatedly stated that there are “preconditions” for peace negotiations, the most important one being the downfall of the Syrian government, i.e., regime change. If a toppling of a nation’s government is Obama’s precondition for peace, then Obama is by definition choosing war.
Never mind that Syria is a sovereign nation that should not have to worry about a foreign country making demands as to who is in power. Obama doesn’t seem to think this relevant. In fact, his administration has been very busy determining who the “legitimate” government of Syria is, by hand picking the “National Coalition of Syrian Revolution,” the prime minister of which is a U.S. citizen.
One of the preconditions for being on Obama’s National Coalition of Syrian Revolution is that there be no peace negotiations with the Syrian government. Of course most Syrians want to immediately end the conflict in Syria, since it threatens an Iraq-like destruction of the country.
The most popular leader of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution, Moaz al-Khatib, recently quit in protest because he was prohibited from pursuing peace negotiations by the U.S.-appointed opposition Prime Minister, Ghassan Hitto, a U.S. citizen who had lived in the U.S. for the previous 30 years.
The Guardian reports:
Immediately after his nomination as interim [Prime Minister], Ghassan Hitto [U.S. citizen], had distanced himself from Al-Khatib’s willingness to negotiate with elements of the Assad regime in a bid to bring an end to the civil war.
By appointing Hitto as the leader of the opposition, Obama has splintered the already-splintered opposition while making “no peace negotiations” the official policy of the U.S.-backed opposition, the so-called “legitimate” government of Syria.
Obama also recently pressured the Arab League — composed of regimes loyal to the United States — to install as a member the hand-picked National Coalition of Syrian Revolution as the official government of Syria. The appointment didn’t give as much credibility to the opposition as much as it degraded the Arab League’s legitimacy.
The rebel’s seat in the Arab league implies, again, that the U.S. and its allies are fully intent on “regime change,” no matter how many people die, no matter the existing political alternatives. They will not reverse course.
The Russian government called the Arab League membership decision “… an open encouragement of the [rebel] forces which, unfortunately, continue to bet on a military solution in Syria, not looking at multiplying day by day the pain and suffering of the Syrians…. Moscow is convinced that only a political settlement and not encouraging destructive military scenarios, can stop the bloodshed and bring peace and security to all Syrians in their country.”
Obama has rejected both Russian and Syrian calls for peace negotiations in recent months, as he has greatly increased the frequency of the weapons trafficking plan. Reuters reports on the Obama Administration’s reaction to peace proposals from Russia and Syria:
…[Syria’s Foreign Minister’s] offer of [peace] talks drew a dismissive response from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was starting a nine-nation tour of European and Arab capitals in London [to help organize support for the Syrian rebels].
Obama rejects peace because he cannot dictate its outcomes. When it comes to war the more powerful party decides what the peace looks like, and Obama’s rebels are — after two years — still in a poor position to bargain a favorable peace to the United States, no matter how many tons of guns the U.S. has dumped into Syria. This is because the Syrian government still enjoys a large social base of support, something you’ll seldom read about in the U.S. media.
Another sign of war lust from the Obama administration came after the Syrian government accused the rebels of a chemical weapons attack. The U.S. government initially dismissed the accusation, until the rebels later accused the Syrian government of the attack.
But even Syria’s rebels have admitted that the chemical weapons attack took place in a government controlled territory, and that 16 Syrian government solders died in the attack along with 10 civilians plus a hundred more injured. But the rebels make the absurd claim that the government accidentally bombed themselves with the chemical weapons.
No matter who is responsible, the Obama administration plans to hold the Syrian Government responsible for crossing the “red line” of a chemical weapons attack (Obama’s version of Bush’s infamous “weapons of mass destruction”). The red line refers to a direct military invasion, versus the prolonged blood-letting that has been U.S. policy so far.
Obama’s envoy for the United Nations, Susan Rice, issued a statement about the chemical weapons attack that, according to the New York Times, “… repeated previous American warnings that there would be “consequences” if the Assad government used or failed to secure chemical weapons.”
So, if the Syrian rebels get hold of chemical weapons and use them on the Syrian government — as seems to be the case — the Syrian government should be held responsible, according to the Obama Administration, “for not securing chemical weapons.”
There is zero room for truth with logic like this. But the perverse logic serves to protect Obama’s prized rebels, who’ve committed a slew of atrocities against the Syrian population, and who gain key political and media protection from the U.S.
Ultimately, the entire Syrian war was born amid the big lie that the battle began — and continues — as a popular armed struggle. But the real revolutionaries in Syria like the National Coordination Committee, have long ago declared that they want a peaceful end to this conflict.
Obama’s Bush-like determination to overthrow the Syrian government has led him down the same path as his predecessor, though Obama is fighting a “smarter” war, i.e., he’s employing more deceptive means to achieve the same ends, at the exact same cost of incredible human suffering.
March 29th, 2013, 3:49 pm
Tara said:
Montreal is mostly pro-regime. The reason I think is that most Syrians who live in Montreal are Christians. It amazes me how sectarian it is. If you are an Arab Christian, you are more likely than not to support the regime and if you are a non-shiaa Muslim, you are more likely to support the revolution.
March 29th, 2013, 3:51 pm
Citizen said:
U.S. considers no-fly-zone over Syria
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/03/29/U-S-considers-no-fly-zone-over-Syria.html
PUTIN you must answer / must /!!!
March 29th, 2013, 3:55 pm
Citizen said:
Obama at the Edge of a Cliff in Middle East
http://original.antiwar.com/adil-e-shamoo/2013/03/27/obama-at-the-edge-of-a-cliff-in-middle-east/
……
The fact is, that with the help of U.S. lobbyists and the neoconservative wing of the Republican Party, Mr. Netanyahu outsmarted Mr. Obama by changing the conversation three years ago from furthering peace negotiations with the Palestinians to setting red lines on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. Mr. Obama dutifully changed his own policy from containment to preventing Iran from ever having nuclear weapons based upon these arbitrary red lines. In last week’s visit to Israel, Obama emphasized that if Iran does not comply with U.S and Israeli demands, then all options are on the table (read: a military strike against Iranians nuclear facilities). Never mind that Israel for decades has maintained over two hundred nuclear bombs, and, scholars generally agree, has contemplated using them. Iran, for its own part, signed the non-proliferation treaty, while Israel never did.
Furthermore, America and Israel are becoming isolated from the world community due to their policies, which are increasingly perceived to be unfair and inhumane where the Palestinians are concerned. This isolation was demonstrated last year in the United Nations General Assembly’s vote for the Palestinian right to non-voting member status at the U.N. With all of our allies around the world, the U.S marshaled only seven out of 190 members to vote against granting the Palestinians this status.
Indications are that Mr. Obama does not desire sending troops overseas if wars in Iran and Syria become a reality. Yet he seems convinced that drones and missiles might achieve our national security goals with less consequence. If it sounds familiar, it is because the same neoconservative voices were advising Washington politicians and saturating the media prior to Iraq invasion ten years ago. Now, the war hawks are busy convincing the press and Washington’s agenda-setters that a humanitarian crisis in Syria demands our intervention. These same neoconservatives showed no such concern when the post-invasion killing in Iraq far exceeded the numbers in Syria. We call this selective morality.
If we get engaged in two new wars, hatred toward America will skyrocket among people of the Middle East and Islamic countries. The war will spread quickly from Syria and Iran to Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, and Egypt. The blow back to Western countries and especially to the U.S, will be immense. Let us hope that cooler heads in congress and among Mr. Obama’s trusted advisors, will prevail.
March 29th, 2013, 4:01 pm
zoo said:
Majed
Oh yes, the rumors carried by the FSA and Al Arabya are so much more credible.
I guess no one will forget the name of the Russia boat when Bashar took refuge and all the BS about the rebels taking over Damascus airport and so many other stupidities like Bashar being killed etc…
No one except the FSA or ‘reliable’ sources has confirmed the plane shot… If you have a confirmation, please post it.
March 29th, 2013, 4:17 pm
revenire said:
Syria “expert” Josh Landis is such an expert on Syria he actually believed Assad was living on a Russian ship. I will never forget that headline here.
March 29th, 2013, 4:21 pm
zoo said:
#355 Revenire
That’s one of the many shameful posts that will haunt JL.
It’s a price to pay when one trusts vicious tabloids like AL Arabya or Al Jazeera.
I guess he took the lesson.
March 29th, 2013, 4:30 pm
revenire said:
210 FSA RODENTS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER DEVASTATION IN DAAE’L – DER’AH
Yesterday, Jordanian hospitals in Al-Ramtha were flooded with injured rodents after the Syrian Air Force put them to death in Daa’el. You see, with all the great victories of the FSA/Al-Qaeda as they inch miles away each day from the capital, you can see why the battle is now centered on towns near the Jordanian border.
According to Jordanian news sources, ambulance sirens are all you can hear in the southern part of Syria.
http://syrianperspective.blogspot.com/2013/03/third-post-al-qaeda-annihilated-by.html
March 29th, 2013, 4:33 pm
Citizen said:
North Korea is ready to strike at bases in Washington and San Diego, and Hawaii
Kim Jong Un meets.
DPRK leadership plans to missile attacks, Washington and U.S. bases in San Diego and Pearl Harlbore (Hawaii). Moreover, the military plan to strike at targets in Texas.
This is evidenced by photographs published on the website of the North Korean news agency CAC.
Also visible in the pictures of Kim Jong-un, conducting a meeting with the military in one of the command posts. Behind him, a map of the inscription on which reads: “The plan of attack on the U.S. mainland.” Lines are target of rocket attacks.
Note, earlier on Friday a source in the military structures of South Korea reported increased activity at the site for the missile launch in North Korea. Kim Jong Un gave the order to bring on full alert missiles aimed at the United States and South Korea. North Korea is ready at any time to hit the U.S. mainland, according to the active military bases in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, as well as its southern neighbor.
http://www.1tv.ru/news/world/229552
March 29th, 2013, 4:34 pm
zoo said:
#351 Tara
No Jihadist lovers, no Moslem Brotherhood, no Salafists: Montreal really sounds like a wonderful place.
It’s next on my family vacation spots. Thanks.
March 29th, 2013, 4:36 pm
revenire said:
Once again Mari “the war continues” Goldran gets my SC Idiot of the Day Award for posting about victories that never happened (except on the Internet). This time he claimed Daa’el had fallen.
Congrats to Mari – you win a fine dinner of cooked dog. Take your pick from the FSA kennel my boy.
March 29th, 2013, 4:36 pm
zoo said:
The USA has decided that Al Khatib will stay until May to finish his six months term.
Let’s see if he will use the time left to impose the dialog with the regime that he originally called for.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/68000/World/Region/Syrian-opposition-leader-to-end-sixmonth-term-US.aspx
US officials say Ahmed Moaz Al-Khatib, head of Syrian opposition, will stay in his post for six month despite his earlier resignation
..
The Syrian regime rejected conditional talks as some of Khatib’s detractors in the opposition labeled his offer traitorous and incoherent.
Khatib rejected such accusations.
“I cannot accept that those who talk about negotiations are accused of treason,” he said. “Some have told me that men of politics do not talk this way… I say to them: I am just a revolutionary.”
March 29th, 2013, 4:47 pm
Observer said:
Well well Reversible ZOO
Here is the MP from Deraa himself confirming the reports as reported by Nahar
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/77406
In this story, other MP tried to silence him and he refused read the full report my friends. Citizen why do you say Putin “must” intervene? Who gives a hoot about Syrian lives these days? If you think the Russians care one bit or more than the US or the West or any other country then you need to take a triple expresso and wake up to the reality that the country has NO strategic importance whatsoever for anyone except Iran and barely at that.
The country is imploding rapidly and we now have enough buffer zones in the north and the south to prevent any effect on Jordan and Turkey.
Well well, ZOO is planning to travel to Montreal, how about to Damascus? I thought the airport was open.
March 29th, 2013, 4:52 pm
GEORGES said:
TARA
A famous activist family who organizes events for Syria in Montreal is alawite.
Maybe if you have time you could go to this event https://www.facebook.com/events/436477446427690/
March 29th, 2013, 4:53 pm
Citizen said:
The arrogance of the old World order
When the United States and some European States talk in the United Nations about “our” moral obligation to intervene, “our” role to protect (R2P) and “our” duty to once again carry out regime change on the same false pretexts of democracy and humanitarian intervention, they ignore the fact that they don’t represent anymore the World population but only represent a minority attached to an imperialist and neo-colonial ideology rooted in a past century and still hanging on to it out of the need for economical and political survival.
When this Old-world political minority elite speaks for the vast majority of the world population, even pretending to represent them, it reflects a formidable arrogance and an utmost lack of respect for the right of self-determination and human rights which, cynical enough, they claim to defend.
Kris Janssen
March 29th, 2013, 4:54 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Iraq repeatedly lied and said they inspected flights to Syria,we continue to see military planes coming to Syria from Iran,NFZ will stop such flights, NFZ is consistant with the US policy Non Lethal aid policy, it can be applied to Syrian borders with Iraq
March 29th, 2013, 4:57 pm
zoo said:
After the chemicals claims, now back to the Scud claims, then the cluster bombs and back to the chemicals.
The opposition is in need of some spectacular and mediatized “massacre” to convince the reluctant France, UK and USA to push for a no-fly zone and to send weapons.
20 dead in Scud missile attack in Syria, activists say
http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-syria-scud-missile-20130329,0,7345815.story
March 29th, 2013, 4:59 pm
zoo said:
Majed
The USA is lying all the time. They deny they are involved in Syria’s regime change while the CIA is in Turkey, Qatar and Jordan training fighters and plotting.
Iraq does not receive orders from the USA.
March 29th, 2013, 5:06 pm
Tara said:
Georges,
Thanks. I am going home tomorrow. I am getting depressed not able to scream myself out enough. I am going to spend a wk in a refugee camp in the near future.
Georges, I truly hope you are Christian. It depresses me how it has become. I am having lots of resentment towards
those who support the regime. It is becoming very personal and painful. The moment I meet Syrians or Lebanese, all what I want to know is what their political orientation is. With extreme extreme rare exception, I feel I do not want any interaction with them if they support Batta.
March 29th, 2013, 5:13 pm
revenire said:
Ha ha Majed you’ve been in the USA far too long. There will not be a No-Fly Zone. Non-lethal aid is a misnomer.
March 29th, 2013, 5:15 pm
revenire said:
Have you ever asked yourself what does it mean the word “homeland” to you ?
it’s indescribable, inexpressible, if you were born and lived your whole life in the same city, then this city will live in you not only you live in it. Damascus, the city that wrote my diaries and my whole life. Now day after day, the chapters of my story are being destructed.
Today, my college.. A mortar shell fell in the Damascus School of Architecture today and killed 15 students, more than 25 are injured.. I was watching the photos after I have chosen to kill my emotions.. but how can I !
I spent five years in this college. And it’s not like any other college you may know, it was my home actually.. I spent almost nine hours a day there.
Who wants this to happen in the universities?
The side who wanted in a way or another a strike in all parts of the country?
Or the side that wants people to go to their work and go on with their life?
It doesn’t matter for the mothers of these young guys .. they won’t ask this question now. But soon it will prevent them from closing their eyes a moment at night.
Students of the university of Damascus are now divided into two parts, some of them are asking the management of the university to cancel all the lectures for now until they find a solution for this mortar, the other part refuses to stop going to university, they refuse to obey the will of those who want Syria to die.
In the end, this blood will write a history..
Will tell the world about the students who had to leave so early because the US and its Arab and Turkish allies thought we don’t have democracy..
We had democracy when me and my friends of all sects sat on this table every day, spoke about everything, studied, spent the best times ever.. now .. this blood is not democracy.
in the end I will use a sentence that I heard “when a revolution is made up out of the mosques, it will surely kill students out of university”
http://levantwoman.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/architecture-school-no-words-i-can-say/
March 29th, 2013, 5:28 pm
Sami said:
Tara,
My wife is Christian and supports the revolution (albeit she is not Syrian) but my best freind who is from Aleppo is Christian and him and his entire family are anti Bashar.
They are weary of some elements of the opposition, but their fear of the unknown has not blinded them to the atrocities committed by the regime.
But yes many Syrian Montrealers are pro regime.
March 29th, 2013, 5:38 pm
Tara said:
Zoo,
Sure. If your goal in life is to be with people like Ann and Reve, then by all mean. Enjoy!!.
March 29th, 2013, 5:40 pm
Sami said:
Georges,
Will you be attending this event?
March 29th, 2013, 5:41 pm
Citizen said:
360-
I followed your advice and took intense espresso and I found out that the collapse regime in Syria will be followed by the collapse regime in Moscow!Therefore, that Putin survival in static condition will lead to the collapse of Russia A. B. C of geopolitics!
As for Russia’s military intervention in Syria, it is related to the western extent of external interference! Victoria Noland want no- fly it means she beyond taboos!
March 29th, 2013, 5:46 pm
Tara said:
Sami
Sure there are exceptions. But I think, they remain an exception.
The question I often ask myself is if I was a Syrian Christian, would I have too supported the regime? I know it is quite a polemic theoretical question but I know it in the deepest part in my heart that I wouldn’t.
Saddam oppressed Shiaa and made Sunnis privileged. I wished for Saddam what I wish now for Batta. But again, I do not live in fear..
March 29th, 2013, 5:56 pm
Uzair8 said:
Tomorrow’s News Today
With a limited and stretched squad, the exhausted regime is facing a fixture pile up as it enters the twilight of the football season.
Expect plenty of scores to be settled in the coming days…
March 29th, 2013, 6:14 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Tara
what do you mean?you are going home and may be spending time in refugee camp?how about your daughter?
March 29th, 2013, 6:14 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
368. MOSSIE
“Have you ever asked yourself what does it mean the word “homeland” to you? It’s indescribable, inexpressible”
Dear Mr Mossie Asshole:
When it comes to that word, my whole family defines homeland as a place to leave, to get out of. Like the Bob Dylan song says:
There’s fist fight in the kitchen
It’s enough to make you cry
The mailman comes in
Even he’s gotta take a side
Even the butler
He’s got something to prove
And you ask me why I don’t live here
Honey, how come you don’t move?
Yeah, we moved. We got out of that hellhole and went to a better place where they mostly leave you the fuck alone. And my sainted grandpa told me on the way out of town he stopped at a cemetery and took a crap on a Sheik’s final resting place. We still laugh about that over Christmas dinner.
Your pal,
Yohanio
March 29th, 2013, 6:29 pm
revenire said:
Never liked Dylan’s voice – too nasally.
March 29th, 2013, 6:32 pm
Johannes de Silentio said:
370. TARARARA
“Zoo, your goal in life is to be with people like Ann and Reve”
Zoo is in a perpetual ménage à trois with those two slugs
March 29th, 2013, 6:36 pm
Uzair8 said:
This Friday was named “The Friday of Giving Glad Tidings to Those Who are Patient.” –YS
March 29th, 2013, 6:36 pm
Uzair8 said:
Tallies with John Kerry’s quote about Assad wanting to shoot his way out of this situation.
March 29th, 2013, 6:43 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Regime supporting idiots get emotional and shed a river of crocodile tears over some innocent dead kids in the university. What about your 70,000 (not upper class Damascus university) brothers and sisters who get slaughtered on a daily basis by the Alawi junta that their shoes you polish with your tongues (and ask for more)? Fa**en Idiots.
.
March 29th, 2013, 7:33 pm
mjabali said:
Visitor ???? ???????
???? ??????? ??? ????????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ??????
???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ????
?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? .
?????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????.
??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????.
The translation of all of that Arabic text: Visitor I am waiting for you to explain to us why you mixed two different notions together, just because the words are kind of similar?
March 29th, 2013, 7:37 pm
Uzair8 said:
Tommorow’s News Today
The news of the Alawite meeting in Cairo was a welcome move.
It would be a pity if this was spoilt by claims, if proved, that the event was funded by Rifat al Assad.
One aspect that may have been overlooked is the intelligence opportunity this move would open up for the opposition. The anti-Assad Alawites, through contacts in the regime and military, may be able to provide a better picture of the state and morale of the regime and it’s forces. They may have relatives, friends in the armed forces.
Knowledge of weak points in defences, as well as general weaknesses, soft spots and regime limitations, can be passed on to rebels to target and exploit.
Much advantage can be gained by the revolution.
Another blow for the regime.
March 29th, 2013, 7:37 pm
mjabali said:
Uzair aka the anti Alawite freak:
leave the Alawites alone you freak. You have no connection to them what soever. Probably you never have seen any one of them in your life. You think they are infidels and so forth.
You do not live int he 21st C.
These Alawites went to defy al-Assad and work with the opposition, and you, as a freak of course, want to use them as spies. Dude: wake the hell up: these guys are coming to work with the Revolution. Do you get this?
These Alawites are being suspect by you and by al-Assad. This should not happen, and kooks like you should not stick their nose into this. You do not know what it takes, this is being proven day after day.
freak
What do you drink these days?
March 29th, 2013, 7:45 pm
mjabali said:
Amir aka the flaming anti Alawite freak Junta in Tell Aviv:
Are you drunk dude? what are you talking about?
You could have waited few minutes before spewing your anti Alawite lament. Your Uncle Uzair just wrote about Alawites rising against al-Assad. Do not generalize mr. flaming junta.
March 29th, 2013, 7:51 pm
Uzair8 said:
edward dark ?@edwardedark – 28 Mar
video from #Syria state tv of the injured and wounded by a rebel shell that landed on Damascus Uni today…
Imagine ?@LilithNOT17 – 28 Mar
@edwardedark How can u be sure it was a ‘rebel shell’? Please tell me. I know that the faculty of architecture has been a ‘rebellious’ one.
Source
March 29th, 2013, 7:53 pm
mjabali said:
Syria comment is being bombed right now by Uzair…
March 29th, 2013, 7:55 pm
Sami said:
MJabali,
What are your thoughts in regards to that meeting? How do you see the Alawi community responding to it?
I hope positive things can grow from this.
March 29th, 2013, 7:57 pm
Uzair8 said:
The revolution isn’t the property of any sect. The revolution belongs to anyone who is against the criminals in power, be they (criminals) from whichever sect.
The muslims, christians, alawites, druze, kurds etc of the revolution are one.
March 29th, 2013, 8:07 pm
mjabali said:
Sami:
Yes, I agree with you that positive things can come out of it. Positive things could come from any Alawite anti Assad meeting. Actually, positive things could happen if the Alawites organize themselves outside al-Assads reach.
It is a shame if Rifaat al-Assad manage to taint any type of organization for the Alawite. He is a bad person. The Alawites in general are for one Syria and for living equal with others. They are hurt with what al-Assad had brought on them. If they organize they could fasten the change Syria needs. In organizing the Alawite: al-Assad loses his iron grip on them for sure.
But also they could end up living separate from the rest of Syria because of what is going on now.
Now you have more anti Assad Alawite groups stirring things.
March 29th, 2013, 8:17 pm
mjabali said:
Uzair the anti Alawite:
Your words are empty. They are just slogans.
What is going on in Syria is the business of those who love Syria with all of its inhabitants and want the best to all Syrians no matter what is their background.
You, on the record, do not want good for the Alawites, and most likely the Christians as obvious. AS for the Druze and Ismailis and Jews: judging from your line of thought one could also tell that you never consider them equal and your creed say to fight them.
So whatever you say is empty and just hot air.
March 29th, 2013, 8:22 pm
revenire said:
Must be a liberated area.
March 29th, 2013, 8:22 pm
Dolly Buster said:
Look, the West is basically a society of equals.
They don’t represent colonialism, they represent democracy.
So they are the true representatives of International Community.
March 29th, 2013, 8:29 pm
revenire said:
The West is not a society of equals. That’s ridiculous. You live in a dream world.
March 29th, 2013, 8:35 pm
Visitor said:
…
March 29th, 2013, 8:40 pm
revenire said:
??? – ???? : ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????
??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? .. ????? ???? ??????? ??????
???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??????
??? ???? ???? ??????
http://www.syriantube.net/3313.html
March 29th, 2013, 8:41 pm
Visitor said:
?.???? ?????? ??????
??? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???????
??? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??????. ???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???. ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??????. ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ??????. ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???. ?? ????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ????????? ??? ????? ??? ??????. ???? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ??. ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????.
March 29th, 2013, 8:43 pm
Visitor said:
It has now been confirmed that the Border Guards Brigade of the FSA has defeated the Hezbos in Syria, and the Brigade is in full control of the borders from Tal Kalakh in the North all the way to ??????
The brigade was formed recently in order to deal with the Hezbo thugs.
March 29th, 2013, 8:46 pm
Tara said:
Dear Majed
Home meant the US.
But I am going to a refugee camp in the near future, and Yaya ( my daughter Yara) will have to stay in the US.
March 29th, 2013, 8:47 pm
Tara said:
The report of Syrian women being used in prostitution is still bothering me tremendously. It seems to me from the reaction of the posters that I was the only one who did not believe it. I still don’t. We never heard about Palestinian women in refugee camps being used in prostitution. Why are we hearing this about Syrian girls?
March 29th, 2013, 8:53 pm
revenire said:
Tara your rat friends have taken Syrian women and given them to your revolutionary heroes to be used as sex slaves for freedom.
March 29th, 2013, 9:10 pm
revenire said:
This is for Mari “the army is just an Alawite militia” Goldran. The rats say they’ve killed Assad. LOL
Please report this great victory at SC.
March 29th, 2013, 9:13 pm
revenire said:
I can’t get over how stupid these Wahabi apes are. They sure don’t look very happy for having just freed ALL of Syria from that horrible man Dr. Assad to they? LOL
March 29th, 2013, 9:14 pm
ann said:
402. revenire
Notice how he’s reading from a script on his laptop. Sitting comfortably in turkey, qatar or saudi arabia 😉
Shinning guns, like they’ve never been used before 😀
March 29th, 2013, 9:52 pm
Syrialover said:
New thread started
(But don’t tell “ANN” (Assadist News Network) or REVENIRE. Let them stay here chanting propaganda to each other).
March 29th, 2013, 10:14 pm
zoo said:
Tara
I’ll certainly visit Montreal if it is what you and your friend Sami describe.
I guess you’ll be in Raqqah enjoying “freedom” with your dearest friends Visitor and Majedalkhadoon.
Don’t forget your hijab or nikab…
March 29th, 2013, 10:36 pm
mjabali said:
Visitor: ?????
???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ???????. ?? ??? ???? ????? “????” ?
???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????.
??? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ????????. ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ????????.
?????? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ???????.
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????? ?? ????? ????? ?????
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??????: ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????
March 30th, 2013, 12:34 am
5 dancing shlomos said:
bob dylan zimmerman – worthless voice but he is a decent plagiarist. well protected and much ballyhooed by the media.
term “homeland” in amurderka means up against the wall, spread ’em. go through the cancer machine. your phones are tapped. your emails, other internet postings are gathered for possible use someday against you for whatever reason. drones and fixed cameras everywhere spying. elected reps who represent money. militarized police. 45 years in prison for stealing bread. persecution and prison for revealing truths. blaming innocents for the blood on washington’s hands. lies, lies, lies.
and
endless violent wars of aggression.
March 30th, 2013, 1:06 pm